I love Enmore Road. Not just because it’s in my ’hood, but because I reckon there’s no street in Sydney that has more energy, is more fun, or more delicious. It’s home to the Enmore Theatre, Bar Planet and Cairo Takeaway, for starters. But don’t just take my word for it – Enmore Road was voted Sydney’s coolest street in a global survey a few years back. Now, you’ve got even more reason to swing on by. Over the past couple of months, four cool new bars have opened up: Silver’s Motel by the PS40 team, Bar Demo from two Double Deuce Lounge alums, tequila haven Run Dos Run, and Deadwax – a late-night music bar with Midori-spiked Coladas and vinyl hits.
Found in the former home of the Enmore Country Club, the groovy bar is spearheaded by three hospo legends: Conor O’Brien and Dan Teh (from Otis) and Davyd Blacksmith (ex-Riley St Garage and Nola Smokehouse). They wanted to create a space for music lovers to come and listen to hits, eat delicious food, dance and have fun together.
Punters are welcome to request a record from the team’s expansive vinyl collection that spans decades and genres. But Deadwax isn’t just a vinyl bar. From the songs of our childhood to today’s hits – as well as funk, soul, jazz and disco – Deadwax will be playing them all. Plus, each weekend there will be a DJ on the decks, keeping the good times rolling. And roll they will – Deadwax is open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights.
You’re going to wanna get around the Japanese-inspired drinks. There’s a Sesame Oil Martini, a Ponzu Old Fashioned and a Midori-spiked Melon Colada, plus cold tins of 196 and neat Japanese whisky. Teh says their "bar manager, Kate Howlett, is leading a team of really rad people," so if you're not sure what to order, pull up a stool and have a chat.
The drinks are backed up by a solid food menu – think Wagyu sandos and taramasalata-topped crumpets, with instant ramen bowls in the pipeline. Tell your hospo mates: food will be served ’til 1.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Wondering about the name? Teh says they wanted to make it relatable to what they were doing, which is a music- and vinyl-focused bar. “Deadwax is a vinyl term that refers to the silent space between the track grooves and also the end of the record when the songs have ended. Mostly we just thought the name sounded cool and fit the vibe,” he laughs.
Teh adds: “We love music. We want to deliver music in the best way we know how. We are jumping on the ever-growing vinyl bar train, but we think we’re doing it differently and hope you’ll come along for the ride. We have created a bar for people who also love music – somewhere to share music with your friends, with strangers.
“We believe deeply in community and we want to create our own community of like-minded legends in Enmore, based around our love of a good beat, a great bev and some catchy hooks.”
And if you’re heading here to catch up with a mate (or on a date), don’t worry about Deadwax being too loud. Acoustics were a priority for the team, so they’ve put things in place – including a groovy pattern-covered ceiling – to make sure you can hear your friend.
Here’s more good news: Deadwax will soon be home to Enmore Road’s only karaoke room – slated to open in September. I’d better start warming up my vocal cords.
Find out more here.
Address: 182 Enmore Rd, Enmore
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