Lobo

Words by Theodora Sutcliffe

Lobo image 1

Address: 209 Clarence Street, Basement, Sydney, NSW, 2000, Australia
Tel: +61 (0)415 554 908
Website: view Lobo’s website
Door: Open door
Style: Cocktail bar
Food: Bar Snacks

Review

Julio Lobo was a plantation owner, sugar broker and "the sugar king of Havana" until Castro took over the show: even today in Cuba, his name is synonymous with wealth. And this rum bar, inspired by Lobo's love of high living, fine rums and the Caribbean, is a truly surprising spot in Sydney's CBD.

Next door to a tired-looking Chinese restaurant, a spiral staircase leads down into a basement dressed up with faded wallpapers, plantation style chairs, retro photos and tropical plants: the perfect setting for any Our Man in Havana moments you'd like to recreate.
{image2}
There are more than 250 rums on offer at Lobo, many of them served up in accessible, long, crowd-pleasing mixes with spices, fruits and ginger, and a few in more challenging combinations.

The menu features a wise selection of house twists and signatures, feel free to pick, the crew know what they doing. No matter what you pick however, make sure you start with a Daiquri (or two), it will set the right tone for a night of Caribbean travel.

Massively popular since its opening in mid-2013, long lines on Thursdays and Fridays mean Lobo is best enjoyed mid-week.

Lobo image 2 Lobo image 3