Baraki, a new bar located at the acclaimed and popular Alpha Restaurant in Sydney’s CBD, has the potential to become your new favourite spot.
Inspired by the famous Brettos Bar in Plaka, the oldest historical neighbourhood in Athens, Baraki, a Greek word meaning ‘small bar’, brings an element of the Greek capital to Sydney.
Don’t be tricked by the meaning of the name, the new Greek cocktail and meze bar has a tiny eight-seater haven and plenty of outdoor seating.
The design collaboration between Alpha’s CEO Arthur Balayannis and Executive Chef Peter Conistis sees Baraki’s two backlit walls adorned with Greek Ouzo, whiskey, European liqueurs, and Australian gin.
Peter Conistis, a pioneer of modern Greek cuisine in Sydney, is behind the mouthwatering meze menu, which includes Dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with sour cherry and lemon), Pastourmas (spice cured beef served with pears and lentil salad), Karpouzi (watermelon and raki served with sheep’s milk feta) and Toursi (grilled and marinated eggplant with black garlic and dill), just to name a few.
“We are excited to showcase this style of bar in Sydney. A relaxed style of dining with some amazing cocktail creations to accompany my mezes menu,” Peter said.
To accompany the delicious food, Baraki bar manager, Irek Luty has created a cocktail menu that will have you wanting to taste them all. Some of the Greek-inspired cocktails include the Cretan Warrior (made with Toplou Tsikoudia, cardamom, lime and cucumber), the Baraki Fizz (made with Kretaraki Rakomelo, blood orange and sparkling wine), the Golden Apple (featuring Metaxa 5 Star, Calvados Garnier, lemon, and dirty tonic) and the Purple Poseidon (which includes Hendricks gin, Skinos Mastiha, lavender and wild mountain tea).
The new cocktail and meze bar sits next to Alpha, which occupies a historic Victorian building adjacent to the Hellenic Club on Elizabeth Street. The Hellenic Club, which opened in the 1950s, has been a meeting place for migrants, shopkeepers, businesses but most importantly the centre of Greek culture in Sydney, with exciting future developments.
A: 238 – 240 Castlereagh St, Sydney
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday- 12pm to late and Saturday- 5pm to late