Old Mates Pub, the “real Aussie embassy” in New York, brings a bit of Australian flavour to the US, airing sports on the TVs and an authentic Aussie pub menu. And sometimes, some homegrown stars shock punters enjoying a meal and a pint.

The 430-capacity pub in Lower Manhattan has ten taps pouring Aussie beers and a menu featuring chicken parmigianas.

Co-owned by comedian Andy Lee, the pub opened its doors in February and has hosted the likes of Dom Dolla, Alex de Minaur, Blue Wiggle Anthony Field, and more. And on Sunday (7 September), Old Mates Pub welcomed Vance Joy for a surprise set, where approximately 300 people enjoyed the show.

You can check out video footage of the star performing Riptide and more below and on the Old Mates Pub Instagram Stories.

Vance Joy is currently in the US opening for The Lumineers, even appearing on stage with the band for their track, Gale Song. He’s also playing headline shows while in the US.

The singer’s American visit comes off the back of the release of his new single, Divine Feelings. The first single from his double A-side Divine Feelings/Fascination In The Dark, set to release in October, the track marks Vance Joy’s first drop of new music since his 2022 album In Our Sweet Time, and collaborative singles Everybody Needs Somebody with Noah Cyrus (2023) and Wherever You Are with Shouse (2025).

Divine Feelings is a song about a life-changing event: meeting his wife-to-be at the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona in 2019. Vance Joy has since moved to Barcelona, and the couple welcomed their first child.

Following his stint in the US, Vance Joy will come home in late October and perform at the Adelaide music festival, Harvest Rock, sharing the stage with the likes of The Strokes, The War On Drugs, M.I.A., Lime Cordiale, and many more.

@haleyydriscoll

my friends video but thought the world needed to see this 🥹#vancejoy #oldmates #nyc @Vance Joy @Old Mates

♬ original sound - Haley Driscoll

@subwaysavvy

pov you catch @Vance Joy singing Riptide from the streets of NYC 🤩 #vancejoy #nyclife #oldmates #onlyinnewyork @Old Mates

♬ original sound - Olivia Adams Savoye

@griflix

Such togetherness in one room @Old Mates #nyc #vancejoy

♬ original sound - Griff_harr

@influenceraisling

@Vance Joy is an angel and so is @Old Mates

♬ original sound - influencer aisling

@ahrubin15

The most nyc thing ever. Truly insane and so so amazing @Vance Joy x @Old Mates @Kane Gladnick #nyc #popup #vancejoy #concert

♬ original sound - Alli