Do you know what a Gasoline Pony is?

Well, besides a new bar in Marrickville it is the name of an American motorcycle.  I am a bit embarrassed that I had no idea about this before last week when I went to The Gasoline Pony (the bar!)

Marrickville is a suburb of Sydney. It was once considered a no go zone for the hipster crowd and quite rightly as there was no reason for any hipsters to venture here to the inner western suburbs, 20 minutes from the city centre. But that has changed. There are now a lot of great cafes for day and it seems a number of places for the locals to hang out come nightfall. The bonus is that they still have the laid back Marrickville vibe and we can all walk home…

This little bar is easily missed down the far end of Marrickville road in a group of shops that once stood empty but now house this bar and two doors down a cute cafe called Bespoke and Grind. It’s quite clearly an old shop front and this works with the feel creating an inviting comfortable entrance. No bouncers and lots of happy relaxed faces inside. There’s been complaints that there is no large sign outside but that would be oh so untrendy. Half the fun of a bar is discovering, and if you live in Marrickville or surrounds then …go discover!  We dropped by after dinner but The Gasoline Pony is open from 3 pm each afternoon in time for a pick-me-up after work.

This little waterhole seems to have slid into Marrickville like a long lost family member. It is effortlessly comfortable following along with op shop style, but the look somehow feels fresh here. The lights are low and there is a clever golden kind of glow from the colours chosen to paint the walls and the stunning bar. The exterior of the bar is lined with a row of lights and the bar area adjoins a small kitchenette where well thought out snacks are dispensed. ( $8- $18). There’s a good selection of cocktails as well as craft beers and wines from boutique producers. It’s with almost child like enthusiasm that I order a drink from the cocktail menu. Drinking a cocktail in a suburb you have lived for nearly 15 years that has had nothing but Asian food stores & restaurants and a supermarket called Banana Joe’s just seems too good to be true.  A Negroni ( $15)a delicious Caprioska ($15) & an Afogato with Frangelico are served without fanfare and slide down easily. There are food and cocktail specials to watch out for .

You’ll find an outdoor lounge room if you keep walking past the bar, where  you can sit beneath the stars. There s a bit of a music pedigree here with the owner having much involvement in the local Marrickville music community . Expect impromptu performances and occasional live music.  You’ll find pleasant tunes on rotation and I know this makes me sound very old but you can meet and TALK to your friends.

115 Marrickville Road, Marrickville          Tue-Sat 3-11.30 pm  Sun 3-9.30 pm

See The Gasoline Pony  face book page for happenings