Big Poppa’s

The Verdict

Throw your hands in the air if you’se a true lover of all things small bar in Sydney. That’s a lot of hands. Which is great, because there’s a new kid on the Oxford Street block, and his name is Big Poppa.

Headed up by the Lewis Jaffrey (of Swillhouse Group) and Jared Merlino (Lobo Plantation), Big Poppa is focusing on three simple but epic things: top-notch cocktails, cheese, and hip hop. Um, is this heaven?! The blokes have even gone all out to build a custom fridge specifically for the 30 odd cheeses that grace the menu. At 1.8 metres high, that's a lot of the dairy goodness and we aren't complaining one bit!

There will be other things on the menu, of course, like pasta, lamb ragu and beef cheek with polenta all served from the upstairs Italian restaurant. Think exposed brick, leather banquettes and high stools. Downstairs will play host to the cocktail bar, a low-light and moody atmosphere where drinks will be shaken by Jaffrey himself and a shrine to none other than famous Biggy Smalls is housed, naturally.

If you love negronis and late night eats, Big Poppa's is giving Sydney siders the chance to feel like grown-ups again. We might not be able to get in anywhere after 1.30am, but Big Poppa is open till 3, and so is the kitchen. Hallelujah. So settle into the lush lounge, grab yourself a drink and a bowl of pasta and enjoy the awesome beats. 

And on Mondays, they do spaghetti nights. Exactly what you're picturing, Big Poppa's has a spaghetti bolognese special on the menu errry single Monday night. For $23, you'll be downing a giant bowl of pork, beef and veal ragu with a liberal sprinkle of Parmigiano-Reggiano and really, what more could you want out of life? Nothing, that's what. 

Image credit: Claudia Shmueli