Did you get the memo? Crows Nest is now cool. The signs are all there. Well, one very small sign. The discreet letters on the wall outside number 97 mark the entrance to The Hayberry, a cool new dive bar/burger joint that’s pumping out burgers and hot wings to the cool kids of the lower North side.
With small bar guru Chris Lane and his partners Steve Jones and Mike Broome behind the scenes, The Hayberry ticks all the right boxes. Moody lighting, exposed brick walls, fringed fabric lamps, craft beer, burgers, hot wings…. The ye olde paraphernalia dotted around the place adds a colonial Australian theme. The main bar is up the front and if you can’t snag one of the nifty raised booths lining the front room, head past the dining room and kitchen to the sizeable beer garden out the back. It’s small bar meets terrace house party from your university days. Except with better food and much better alcohol.
The theme may apparently be colonial Australia but the food is very Tex Mex. Start with guacamole and chips and BBQ wings before things get serious with supersized burgers. The Classic is just what the name suggests – beef, cheese, pickle, onions on a big bun and it hits the spot. There’s nothing little about the Little Piggy, a pulled pork burger that feels a little healthier with a fresh slaw. If you’re after an actually healthier option, the Healthy Chook has grilled Cajun chicken, smashed avocado and tomato salsa. It still comes with waffle fries and you’ll still want to eat them – but the calories you skipped on the burger means they’re totally guilt-free, or at least that’s our story and we’re sticking to it.
The theme definitely carries over to the cocktail menu – try American Pie (cherry bitters, cinnamon sugar and vodka), Tom & Jerry (Sailor Jerry spiced rum, Licor 43 and maple syrup) or Georgia Peach (bourbon, peach puree and agave syrup). There’s four taps, a hand-pump and plenty of bottled beer on site too.
The Hayberry Bar & Diner
97 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest
www.thehayberry.com.au
