The Arrival
I walk into The Beekeeper, a new British Pub on a midweek lunch time with Rebecca, my Bondi local buddy, and immediately feel like I’ve just stepped into a proper Northern boozer. That is, until a waft of salty sea air reminds me we’re just a few skips from the beach.
This is Northern England through and through. Manchester energy. No plonkers or wankers need apply. No pretense. Just a proper pub that feels like it’s been there forever, except it’s so darn pretty no established Brit pub would look this classy. Oasis is playing followed by a rock soundtrack. Definitely nothing curated by a Bondi DJ called River.
The Pub Design
As an expat Brit who spent my teenage years in pubs in Kent. I feel strangely nostalgic following my trip back to the UK over Christmas. There are lovely bench seats streetside. Go up the stairs and it has it all – sage green walls, wooden partitions, embossed ceilings. It’s just missing additional 80’s style artex and flocked wallpaper. I like the touches of memorabilia such as two gorgeous pottery ducks perched up high (so they don’t get nicked), together with old beer holders and little mini kegs.
The Beekeeper sits inside the heritage-listed Fellworth Flats, which dates back to 1910…that’s 115 years of history wrapped up in Bondi’s oldest sandstone building. The fitout is both respectful and beautiful.
Art deco touches meet concrete, oak and brickwork walls with lots of cosy nooks, stools, banquette seating and more. There’s a working fireplace, sash windows, and a popular sun-drenched deck out front that reminds me I am surrounded by surfers and athleisure, rather than football tshirts, showy offy branded trainers and jog bottoms. If they’d leaned any harder into Northern nostalgia, someone would’ve started arguing about City versus United.
The Team & Chef
This isn’t costume-Brit. The team is almost entirely British (Mancunian), with the odd Irish accent floating through and one American cameo. Northern Hospitality boys, Ben Campbell and Brendan Darcy have created something genuinely special here.The name itself is a nod to Manchester’s famous worker bee, a symbol of hard work, community and strength that’s been part of the city’s identity for centuries.
The kitchen is led by English-born Head Chef Kevin Davis, whose Bondi credentials include stints at Drake and Neighbourhood. Davis knows his audience. His menu puts a modern lens on classic British pub dishes, and it’s the dog’s bollocks. Oh! and I have to mention that dogs are welcome everywhere. Woof!
The Brit Pub Food Menu
It’s a short menu broken down into ‘smalls’ ‘mains’ and ‘bar snacks’. It’s less gastro pub, more ‘pub’ pub food.
On ‘smalls’ we start with the chipolatas, and they’re so cute I almost don’t want to eat them. They’re perfectly cooked, stabbed with a cocktail stick and served with honey mustard sauce. British bangers are a thing. The baked brie arrives with a few crispy wafers, but needs a little more bite with a jammy punch to make it sing.
For mains, Rebeccca orders the Fish and Chips. Delish. Two pieces of golden, crispy bear batter. Flaky, perfectly cooked ling. And, wait for it – they serve it with malt vinegar. MALT VINEGAR. In Bondi. So legit.
The chickpea pie on mash is hearty with a thick, crisp firm pastry. It’s comforting, sitting on top of mash that’s creamy and buttery with a side of crushed peas.
I am not sure if I have ever seen gammon, eggs and ham on a menu in Sydney. It’s a proper British classic with the egg perched on top like a crown. Just like my mum would make for my dad. He would have been chuffed. If you have visiting British parents, do yourself a favour and bring them here.
The chicken parmi arrives with a side salad and chips. The crumbed coating is a little soggy, but all the flavours are there. The winner by a long shot is the Fish n’ Chips. I hear they do roasts at the weekend and even have scampi on the menu (my favourite) but sadly not our visit.
Drinks
I order a Weihenstephaner Alcohol Free beer which is rarely found in pubs and is delicious. The Beekeeper takes its drinks as seriously as its food. They’ve got hand-pulled craft ales, Guinness poured properly (none of your dodgy pours here, mate), and a fantastic happy hour running Monday to Friday from 4–6pm: house beers from $6, house wines from $7, Aperol Spritz for $10, and Tommy Margaritas for $16. That’s a right result.
There’s also a brilliant range of non-alcoholic beers, which is a refreshing change. And the Thinkin’ Drinks menu includes mini Martinis and Negronis for $10 all day long, is both adorable and affordable. We don’t try them on this visit, but they’re calling my name for next time.
The Verdict
What are we Addicted to? Beekeeper Bondi has Northern grit and Bondi sunshine. Cracking Fish n’ Chips, great vibe, honest food, happy hour and pup friendly without the pretention. This place has earned it’s spot as a Bondi institution. It’s a proper belter.
What we need to be more Addicted? It would be great to see more seafood on the menu and is meat heavy as you would expect for a British boozer. I need to check out the Sunday Roast situation.
The Beekeeper Bondi – thebeekeeperbondi.com. 45 Hall Street, Bondi Beach
Mon–Sun: lunch and dinner. Happy hour: Mon–Fri, 4–6pm
