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Interview by Andy Ratcliff. Electronic mail him at andrewjohn@me.com
The Dock
182 Redfern St, Redfern
Thedock.bar
When you’ve been out in Redfern in the previous few years, you’ve little question stumbled throughout The Dock. This nook dive bar, situated within the coronary heart of Redfern on the nook of Redfern and Regent Avenue, has been servicing thirsty drinkers since 2011. Right this moment, we converse with proprietor Tom Whittle about how he turned the proprietor and operator of this little slice of city heaven.
The place did you begin in hospitality? When did you purchase The Dock?
My begin in hospo was really right here, at The Dock, again in 2019.
What did you do earlier than that for a job?
I began out as a sparky, did an apprenticeship, however didn’t actually vibe with it. Then I turned my passion on the time, DJing, right into a full-time job. I promoted events and DJed again within the noughties. Via that, I acquired into Audio Visible and began doing sound installs at venues throughout Sydney, so my sparky abilities discovered new life. I additionally did a little bit of touring, doing sound at festivals too.
 
What was it like within the golden years of the Cross?
The Cross was nice again then, pre-lockouts. Certain, it was somewhat seedy, nevertheless it simply had a lot character and characters. It was principally like a mini-festival each Friday and Saturday evening. It’s actually a unique place now, though I see loads of cool stuff popping up there, so I feel there are nonetheless a couple of extra chapters within the story of the Cross.
Have you ever acquired any cool tales of your time there?
There are such a lot of, however attempting to consider one which doesn’t incriminate anybody is hard. The variety of instances I assumed to myself, “How is that this allowed to occur?” However that was simply the character of the Cross.
What made you wish to get into The Dock?
Truthfully, I fell into it. The Dock had been my native just about because it opened, and I used to be good mates with the proprietor, Jed. I feel I used to be sitting on the bar one arvo, and he talked about he had a little bit of a workers scarcity and wanted somebody to cowl the next week. I mentioned I’d do it! I already had a set of keys as I used to be doing little bits of upkeep for him, so my first shift was a Wednesday alone. I had spent sufficient time in bars and had sufficient buddies in hospo to know the fundamentals. When somebody requested for a cocktail, I simply took out my telephone and googled the recipes. Now, I’m not going to say that first few weeks the cocktails had been the best, however you realize, pretend it until you make it! Jed has now moved on to begin a household and an artwork farming enterprise, although you’ll be able to nonetheless discover him loitering within the bar weekly.
You’ve owned it for 4 years now, and also you took over throughout COVID. What on earth made you assume you can do that? I really like that audacity and confidence!
I had at all times wished to personal a bar, so when the chance arose, I simply went for it. I didn’t assume an excessive amount of about it; if I had, perhaps I wouldn’t be right here.
Sea Shanties are principally a bunch singalong, as individuals as soon as would have completed lots of of years in the past. They’ve been working on the bar each Monday evening for over 10 years now. It’s a really totally different expertise, and though not for everybody, I at all times encourage individuals to test it out.
What have the foremost studying curves been for you through the years as an proprietor and operator?
Every little thing! I imply, I had some transferable abilities, however most of it was college of the deep finish. And actually, I’m nonetheless studying. I’m at all times tweaking what we do to enhance the expertise. I can’t see that ever altering.
What recommendation do you might have for anybody seeking to open a bar?
If it’s what you wish to do, go for it like I did. Simply be sure you’re ready to work lengthy hours and have lists of issues to try this you’ll by no means full—stuff is regularly added.
What I really like about your bar is the ocean shanty Monday singalongs. Are you able to inform me extra about that?
Sea Shanties are principally a bunch singalong, as individuals as soon as would have completed lots of of years in the past. They’ve been working on the bar each Monday evening for over 10 years now. It’s a really totally different expertise, and though not for everybody, I at all times encourage individuals to test it out.
The Dock is an establishment in Redfern with a boatload of standard visitors. How do you retain individuals coming again in any case these years, and what’s your philosophy in direction of service and your visitors?
Now we have enjoyable behind the bar and make our prospects really feel welcome to have enjoyable with us. That’s it, actually!
You’re my favorite dive bar in Sydney, and I really feel like that idea is sadly dying now. Do you assume you’ll ever change it up with the idea or hold combating the great combat?
Dive bar for all times, child!
What are your future plans?
Now we have our thirteenth birthday arising in September. We missed our tenth as a result of COVID, so I feel 13 is an effective milestone to place collectively one thing large! We even have an area upstairs that we have now DA to construct a brand new 120-capacity venue. Consider a barely extra polished model of The Dock however with a stage, a kitchen, and otherworldly vibes. Keep tuned!
What’s one of the best half about proudly owning a beloved bar?
All of the those who I meet and other people thanking us for a very good time! That’s what makes it for me!
Redfern is stuffed with a great deal of fascinating characters. Who’s probably the most fascinating particular person or creature you’ve come throughout?
So many! However one which stands out could be Paul, who sadly handed away a couple of years in the past. He didn’t drink booze, however his fridge didn’t work, so each evening earlier than shut, he’d are available in for a bag of ice to maintain his drinks chilled at dwelling. He was a drag queen again within the day and was at all times dressed somewhat scruffy, but flamboyant. He would sit on the bar and have a chat whereas we had been closing, crunching ice louder than anybody you’ve ever met, attempting to speak me into shopping for property in Redfern, which I don’t assume he had a clue about himself, telling a unclean joke, then leaving. He was undoubtedly a well known character within the space.
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