We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

“Crane Bar might look like a bar, but it eats like an izakaya with a slight girly bent”

Crane Bar Restaurant
Ranked #853 of 5,932 Restaurants in Sydney
Cuisines: Japanese
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Dining options: After-hours, Reservations
Neighbourhood: Kings Cross
Reviewed 20 May 2018

From the outside looking in, Crane Bar reads as a youthful haunt, with sidewalk A-frame menu specials that shout bar snacks louder than dinner. However what you will find if you venture inside, is something else entirely…

The building itself is owned by infamous Kings Cross identity, John Ibrahim. It’s the site of the former Bayswater Brasserie, a restaurant that really launched modern Australian cuisine when it opened back in 1982. Being here brings back memories of the onsite wedding of media identities and mates, Neil Mercer and Rebecca Le Tourneau, so we’re pleased to see the Miyagi Mule ($17) still gracing the cocktail menu. With Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka, wasabi, cucumber and house-made ginger beer, this classic drink is all memory taste, though the eye-catching presentation provides a stylish update. We also enjoy the Tommy’s Margarita (19), a popular margarita update that switches out Cointreau for agave syrup, and ends up better than the original. Here it's well-balanced, salty and appetite-inducing.

Cocktails in hand, we take a spin around the venue, which has more been decorated than seriously renovated. Dripping in fake flowers and vines, the back bar plays host to cosy couches and live music targetting people of a much wider age range than I was expecting. It’s got a really bohemian old Kings Cross feel, which reminds me to feel angry about the decimation of Sydney's nightlife due to the Liberal Party's Lockout Laws.

We settle under the paper lanterns in the front room to tackle some food. Despite the tongue-in-cheek feel of the menu, which allows you to steam it, hook it, meat it, and scarf down the most credible version of Cheeseburger Spring Rolls ($12/4) I've eaten (the Golden Arch sauce is amazing), Crane Bar actually put out some serious dishes.

From the sushi bar you’ll find well presented Fresh Grazing Boards ($30/each) flying out on Fridays. Along with nigiri sushi in ocean trout, kingfish and tuna, you’ll also get sashimi, and a scallop shell of kingfish slices marinated in ponzu, garlic paste, jalapeños and tosazu (vinegar) jelly.

Ocean trout picks up the blowtorch very well both on the platter, and in a subsequent, slightly messy Aburi Roll ($17.50) with avocado, sweet soy and mayonnaise. I found it to have more flavour than the more conventional salmon it was replacing.

We matched our meal to two competing sakes, an Asabiraki Junmai ($30/300ml) from Japan, and a Sake One Australia Junmai ($30/360ml) brewed in the Blue Mountains. With the sushi and sashimi, it was the round, soft, homebrewed sake (well, it still is made using Japanese rice) that came up best – it’s a very coherent sake that smells much like it tastes. Despite the beautiful nose, I found the Asabiraki a bit high in alcohol (16.5%) with a dry, almost acidic end. However it was good with bamboo steamer baskets of Spicy Pork Dumplings ($6.50/4 pieces). The dumplings were lean and well formed, though they could have done with more spice to really live up to their name.

The pretty Soft Shell Crab Slider ($8) doesn’t fax it in either, with crisp, lightly battered soft shell crab, springy mixed leaves and mayo. sandwiched inside a soft Asian bun. Equally attractive, the Tuna Tataki Salad ($23) will give you a light meal for one in a single bowl, though it borders upon being overdressed.

As we unwind to ambient world music that would be at home in Café del Mar, Ibiza, you can colour me impressed. The only dish I tried at Crane Bar that didn’t appeal was Nasu Miso Cheese ($16.50). It turned my favourite Japanese miso eggplant dish into something resembling an over-sweet Parmigiana. However it’s not a bad batting average for a venue I’d written off as a young person’s bar with snacks.

Crane Bar might look like a bar, but it eats like an izakaya with a slight girly bent.

Date of visit: May 2018
    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
1  Thank Jackie M
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviews (79)
Traveller rating
Traveller type
Time of year
Language

18 - 22 of 79 reviews

Reviewed 6 May 2018 via mobile

We visited Crane Bar for the 8 course Japanese degustation.

Food was a good standard but special mention must be made of the excellent service. The waitstaff were very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable of the restaurant fare. We were there on a night where a hens party was happening - they were having a ball and the service to other patrons still outstanding.

Our first visit and we highly recommend

Date of visit: May 2018
Thank foodfan2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 18 April 2018 via mobile

We went for $1 dumplings on Wednesday! Definitely a good deal but the dumplings are a little small. Extensive cocktail list and good service! I would definitely recommend this bar but don’t come starving.

Date of visit: April 2018
Thank lfr33
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 4 March 2018 via mobile

Great food matched perfectly with great wine. What a fun night, met some lovely people and enjoyed a cocktail before and after. Highly recommended.

Date of visit: March 2018
Thank sssssuziq
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 17 February 2018 via mobile

Yet another incarnation in a legendary Sydney bar space ( the old Bayswater Brasserie for Sydney-siders over a certain age).
Sometimes they have live music on a Sunday in the back bar.
Good range of cocktails and interesting menu. Fit out is a bit pimp a bit boudoir but it is cool.
Good for group catch ups as only 2 mins from Kings Cross station.

Date of visit: December 2017
Thank 752AliS
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Travellers who viewed Crane Bar Restaurant also viewed

 
Sydney, New South Wales
Sydney, New South Wales
 

Been to Crane Bar Restaurant? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos & Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing