Taphouse

Beloved Darlinghurst pub Taphouse is back thanks to Sydney hospitality group Applejack (who also resurrected Forrester’s in Surry Hills), with a refreshed interior and rooftop and epic menu of Cantonese cuisine.

A favourite local watering hole, the pillars of the relaunched Taphouse are epic ales, tunes and Chinese—a combination that’s just as sure to deliver great nights out for visitors to the inner-city suburb as aa go-to spot for locals for weeknight feeds of prawn toast and seasonal stir-fries.

“We were inspired by the great English tradition of leasing out pub kitchens and serving a style of food not normally associated with a pub,” says Applejack co-owner Hamish Watts. 

Head chef Sam Ng (who brings experience from Hong Kong icon Ho Lee Fook) has crafted a menu that will be available across all three levels of the pub, ranging from egg noodles with crispy pork belly to dim sum and steamed barramundi with pickled chilli and black bean.

Taphouse also does a mean spice bag for fans who are familiar with the beloved Irish take on Chinese; their signature version comes with salt and pepper chicken, crispy chips and Irish curry sauce for the ultimate beer-paired snack.

The traditional pub elements like timber panelling and pressed tin ceilings remain, with updated design elements like earthy tones and furniture upping the comfort levels, while the rooftop terrace with a fully retractable roof has had a huge blue-and-white refresh, with whitewashed furniture and linen umbrellas giving Euro summer vibes.

With a name like Taphouse, beer is a huge focus, so there’s something for everyone with 20 taps running, plus major sports and live DJs putting the updated sound system to work to round out the lively experience.

Image credit: Taphouse (Jessica Nash / Steven Woodburn)

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