ZanziBar Newtown

Booked a function for our work party, never had such an easy time planning an event. Great venue in the hip surrounds of Newtown, sunset on the rooftop on a perfect Sydney summer’s day, friendliest staff, great food, music and fun overall. Moved downstairs to the newly renovated middle bar after midnight and kicked on until the wee hours of the morning. No fuss, no drama. Thanks Zanzibar!

The food here is solid pub food, the cocktails, while hanging out in the $ 20 price range, are tasty, and the atmosphere is great (especially the rooftop bar). However, on your big going nights it tends to be overrun, and even when it’s quiet, the service is always disappointing (eg, food takes forever to be brought over even when it’s ready, silverware is nowhere in sight and ordering at the bar can take a while). A good neighborhood local, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.

Super weird experience here. Went to get a beer with my mother and brother after dinner (it was only 8pm) and the security was so rude. Didn’t look at us. Blocked us from coming inside and told us we had to line up. There were literally 5 people in the bar. No thanks mate.

Wouldn’t let me in because I was wearing shorts but let all the girls I was with in despite them wearing skirts

Another Sunday, but one of the first to actually hint of the coming summer. We were looking for a good rooftop to enjoy the fading light of the day so headed to Zanzibar (we noted the other two levels were empty). As the sun went down it wasn’t until the hunger pangs began and we attempted to order food to go with our drinks did we discover the new smoking laws had an unexpected, weird result.
I should have picked up the fact that there were ashtrays on the table, and it became clear once we tried to order food. We had to either move inside the rooftop (not really suitable for a group) or go downstairs if we wanted to eat as the rooftop is deemed an outdoor smoking area. This threw us into a spin, eaters pushed out to cater for smokers?! After a bit of discussion and thinking Mary’s might be a better option we decided to bite the bullet, shift downstairs and order our burgers.
Well the burgers were unreal! First of all I hope you are hungry because they are huge, well crafted, meaty, real burgers (no soft brioche here), and the seasoned fries are worth travelling for. I had the cross eyed dog burger and couldn’t finish it, although I wanted to, so consider sharing. The food alone was the redeeming reason for the extra star otherwise I doubt we would consider coming back any time soon, especially if you prefer some salty snacks with your craft beer, instead of a couple of hits of nicotine. in that case there are other options around for you to watch planes cut the reddening sky as the sun sinks to the west.

Like many other useless, drunken, fools we stumbled into ZanziBar after 2am whence the CBD bars were made to lock us out. It was great to be able to appreciate Newtown in a new light — it’s not somewhere we usually go. But part of me wishes it wasn’t in such a disorderly and forced fashion, along with thousands of others making the great exodus from the city to the inner west.
Regardless, ZanziBar was there awaiting us with open arms — big, hairy, bouncer arms. The bar itself is kind of ‘old school’, kind of ‘ghetto’ and plays a heck of a lot of R&B. It fits in well with the Newtown vibe and if you manage to put some inhibitions aside, it’s actually kind of fun. However it’s probably best to avoid it after 2am. The majority of the crowd is riffraff spun off from the CBD and the cross, and unfortunately it’s rapidly killing the Newtown vibe. Sorry Newtown locals.

I went here with a few friends and we enjoyed hanging out on the outdoor terrace area. They had pretty average/​standard drinks and service. I’d come back again.

Was here last week Saturday night and thoroughly enjoyed it!
This place is like a maze if you don’t know where to go, thank goodness a friend knew where to go.
We decided to stay around the middle floor which was had darker lighter and red bamboo wall paper.
The tunes were pumping and the DJ was mixing out old school songs that you haven’t heard since the early 2000’s which brought back heaps of memories.
The top level is the outdoor rooftop area and also the smoking area.
Drink prices average, bar staff friendly.
Overall, it was my first time at the Zanzi but boy was it awesome! Looking forward to going back to get my boogie on! (Does that make me sound old?) lol

I have been here a few times and the place is where locals avoid. The staff don’t provide a safe and fun environment and a lot of dickheads hang out here. The DJing is variable in quality, the drinks are super expensive and the vibe is at times aggressive. Its old and run down. The rooftop bar is ok but way overpriced for what it is if you want to hire it.

For a lazy sunday afternoon meet up with some friends the second level was a bit quieter and fit the need.
They also have $ 8 cocktails that are available, which weren’t anything huge to write home about but they were $ 8. You can’t complain really :)
I forgot to mention that my shoe ripped off my foot when I was leaving the 2^nd floor. I believe there was some super-​human-​sticky-​shit on the carpet. Good thing I was wearing slip on flat shoes, face planting disaster averted.

Not my first choice for a bevvy in newtown but it’s certainly a decent spot to stop on the way elsewhere.

Last time I was at Zanzibar, it was for a friend’s birthday. She had rented out a section of the rooftop terrace. Immediately, it hit me that this really is a perfect setting for a soirée. The view is great, especially on a clear night when the lights of King Street make a line towards the city. In addition to the view, the option to rent out specific rooms allows the host to adjust the privacy level of the event. The drinks here are average in strength and price. A mixed drink goes for about $ 7, and there are drink specials throughout the week. The food was pretty decent. I guess it can be described as tapas style. I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that everyone there looked like they were enjoying it, too.

We came to Zanzibar to meet with an accountant lawyer, as you do, and the first hurdle to jump was to find her. There are many levels at the Zanzibar and we happened to find our meeting on the roof top, despite the imminent threat of rain.
We sat at a long table and sipped on glasses of red and of white. We talked about all the exciting and interesting things that you would imagine people would talk to an accountant lawyer about. «Yes, those crazy stories are all true!»
The difference between different trading methods, tax stuff, I don’t know, I don’t remember, I think I suppressed that memory.
My attention was taken by the view of Newtown from the rooftop of Zanzibar, the taste of the house white swirling around in my mouth, the clouds, grey and foreboding, circling ever so slowly, so that you would never even notice, above our heads.
The other clientele in their weekday dresses and smart casual attire, all looking towards the sky with the same concern and precipitating the precipitation. The anticipation was palpable, something about BAS statements.
The sprinkles began to fall and we moved under cover, still on the rooftop, still drinking wine, still talking about balance sheets.

What can one say about the Zanzi Bar on King Street in Newtown that hasn’t already been said. It’s one of those places that you really love or really hate and for what it’s worth I see no reason to dislike it.
Head upstairs to the roof top bar. It’s up a few flights of what seem like some vertical stair wells but once you’re up there it will be worth it. There’s a nice bar and open air roof top where you can also order some food.
That is the first part of the bar to shut so it’s off to the middle floor. It’s more a lounge and cocktail bar where it’s best to lounge around over some cocktails. Grab some food here to if you need something to go with the drinks.
Once that bar shuts everyone is ushered to the street floor bar where it crowds out with not only from people from the first two floors which are now shut but with other people from surrounding bars and restaurants that have also closed for the night.
From here anything can happen and if you’re like me, you’ll fall in the trap of putting something on the jukebox only to never hear it come on. Good fun though!

Zanzibar is beloved for the rooftop bar. Let’s just get that out of the way right now. In summer time, there is scarcely a sweeter place to be than to be on the roof of Zanzibar in the hot January air, sipping on a mojito or two. This oasis is a godsend amongst the hustle and bustle of King Street. Suffice it to say, get thee to the roof now.
As for the remaining two levels of Zanzibar, while I appreciate that some people are not especially drawn to the cheap and cheerful vibe created by the gaudy wallpaper upstairs and the flying money tank downstairs (step inside, currency is whirled around you, you grab what you can), I happen to have a soft spot for it. The drink specials vary from night to night, although my particular favourite is Coronas for $ 3 and the cocktail specials hit your wallet softly.
Perhaps not the ideal location if you wanted to impress someone, Zanzibar has always served its purpose as a hangout admirably. And besides: why would you want to impress anyone?

I’d heard so much about Zanzibar from Newtown regulars, so upon finding myself in the vicinity, I had to give it a try.
I went in at about 430pm, when it was, understandably, very quiet. Which is fine, I don’t quite yearn for noise at 430 in the afternoon anyway.
I took advantage of the relative calm and went exploring! There are three levels to Zanzibar;
On the ground level, there’s a bar, some tables seating up to 6, and a pool table. A pool table is what makes a bar complete, in my books.
On the second level, there is (also) a bar, and some rather more comfortable looking seating arrangements. Some red plush mini-​sofas, if you will! Looked quite a bit more inviting than the hard-​backed wooden chairs downstairs.
The third level features a rooftop beer garden, which I didn’t get to explore to my heart’s content because on that particular day, it was all booked out, but it looked nothing short of lovely. I can imagine spending a delightful evening up there.
They also feature $ 8 cocktails. I had the Fruit Tingle. and no matter how drunk it made me (very), I wouldn’t recommend. It did not taste nice, fruity, or tingly, in any way, shape, or form. Now I realise people just concoct cocktail names out of thin air… but they should really stop that.
They had some other cocktails which sounded nothing short of delicious, so try one of them instead!

I am not a big fan of clean white walls or clear wall space of any kind, when entering Zanzibar Pub I was pleased to discover the walls were a collage of music posters, flyers and cartoon cut-​outs, it reminded me of the room in my bedroom.
The Zanzibar has a comfortable social laid back feel, I like the old greenish dilapidated concrete floor, but the wooden high tables with high chairs just make me feel short.
The pub is well set out with one row of tables which each seat six, making it a suitable venue to go with friends and the layout is not overcrowded. Also they have the pool table at the front of the establishment rather than hiding out the back. I found it a friendly place to meet my mates after work, and with $ 10 Jugs of beer everyday until 10pm and $ 8 cocktails Monday to Friday until 10pm, you can’t go wrong.

At Zanzibar you’re sure to meet an eclectic bunch of people — set in the heart of Newtown, students, artists, actors, sports lovers and backpackers mingle together. The main reason for coming to Zanzibar is their brilliant rooftop cocktail bar and lounge. It offers the perfect place to watch the sunset, cocktail in hand and to then continue the party long after the moon’s come out.
The bar is crammed with bottles — beers, spirits, wine, juice — everything you could imagine, they seem to have (including 20 types of tequilas!) The bar is casual yet bustling, and specials are scrawled on blackboards in every available space. On Saturday and Sunday between 1−3pm and from Wednesday-​Saturday 6−8pm, a selection of their cocktails are available for the bargain price of $ 9.
As if delicious cocktails weren’t enough to tempt me in, they also have an extensive food menu. It’s nothing fancy, but just typical bar food — steaks, deep fried things, pizza, pasta, risotto and tapas. The tapas is great — lots of variety and the perfect platter for sharing with friends.
Whether you want a quiet drink to watch the sunset, or are preparing for a later night, Zanzibar offers a great place to start things off. Great food, even greater cocktails, and a wonderful view. What more could a bar offer?

3 floors how could you want more? Not much beats a roof top beer garden and the Zanzibar gives more fun factor than it takes. Your wallet is well looked after with cocktail specials available from the second level up till 9pm going for $ 10 each — the Fruit Tingle is delcious! The street hip-​hop beats change lucidly as the lights get dimmed at about midnight to a more commercial hard– trance enhanced vibe. Although small and no specific area set out for the dancefloor there is dancing. Like all good things the beer garden upstairs comes to an end by 1am but the rest of the joint is shaking till about 3am. Downstairs there are pool tables and large windows to watch the passer-by’s through. The music downstairs is rock influenced and the crowd older. Don’t be too concerned by the security who grill you on entry all is forgotten after the first 3 quick ones as the mood comes on. Great for birthdays, parties anything.

Spread over three levels including an awesome rooftop terrace, ‘Zanzi’ is a definite refreshment stop on King Street.
The entry level bar has cool décor, which is a little OTT but interesting to look at. There is a pool table and music videos on, with some drink specials for simple cocktails.
The next level up is a kickarse cocktail bar with dimly lit lounges, offering two for one cocktails on a Friday night.
Perfect on a warm night, the rooftop terrace is the only one in the area, making it a big of a novelty. Get there early for a drink and then leave before the crowds kick in on a Friday or Saturday night.
The food at Zanzibar claims to be Spanish, however after trying to eat a Paella laden with what tasted like cayenne pepper, I disagree. The tapas in the three tiered platter also looks quite spectacular but doesn’t live up to its image.