DRINK UP: Papa Gede’s

Answered by: Lara Dignam

Briefly describe the design/atmosphere of the bar? Our namesake, Papa Gede, is the Haitian/New Orleans Voodoo figure of lust, laughter and good times: the ideal of any bar experience in our eyes! Papa Gede always dresses-up to honour that life is an occasion and should be enjoyed... So we built the bar, the menu and our playlists around this concept of both the classy and the super-relaxed aspects of drinking culture – ample comfortable seating and friendly atmosphere, high quality cocktails, wines and absinthes to suit all kinds of occasions, whether you choose a top hat or a t-shirt to garnish your day.

Does the bar have a music component? Absolutely! We are all huge music fans and playlists are really important to us. We concentrate mainly on soul, reggae, '60s and '70s funk, Blaxploitation tracks and Afro-beats. There is a little blues and jazz in there too.

Via laneway, 346 Kent St, Sydney papagedes.com

What drinks are you serving? Do you have a specialty? Cocktails and absinthe!

We are doing a bunch of New Orleans classics, like the Trafalgar & Louisiana Party Punch and some of our own tiki-inspired stuff, EG the 'Barbados Slim' (after the Futurama character). Our current favourite is the 'Banda All Night', like a White Lady (gin and lemon juice based) with a hint of absinthe and apple cider reduction.

Does the bar offer food? If so what style and what's your specialty? We are gung-ho on complimentary bar snacks; most popular have been peanuts, Burger Rings and choc-cinnamon pretzels. We also have a small cheese, charcuterie and house-made pickles menu. If you need a solid feed we're happy to order you a pizza.

Briefly describe the crowd that frequents your bar? A diverse but really open and happy crowd: from local office workers to very supportive hospitality neighbours to a younger bar-hoppers taking advantage of all there is to see on the Clarence/Kent/York Street block. A real hub of various high quality venues is growing in the CBD.