Mountain Culture Redfern

Mountain Culture Redfern is the third venue from the acclaimed Blue Mountains brewery, and it's their first proper debut in the big city. Since owners DJ and Harriet McCready launched their little brewhouse inside a former Civic Video store in Katoomba in 2019, the brewery, whose flagship Status Quo Pale Ale is one of the best-respected – and most awarded – beers in Australia, has gone from strength to strength.

But Mountain Culture Redfern presents a new challenge: introducing themselves to a wider audience beyond the beer bubble. It's doing a fine job of it. At Mountain Culture Redfern, the whole core range is on the taps, alongside 16 rotating taps dedicated to one-offs and special releases. Redfern is also home to Mountain Culture’s first barrel-aging program – with 20 whisky and rum barrels currently maturing away (with some already available). If beer’s not your thing, that’s no drama – there are eight wines by the glass and plenty of bottles on hand, too. Cocktails are another focus, with all the standards present, plus some new creations like a pink hard lemonade, and a Negroni made with house-made hop-infused gin.

The location’s also ready for prime time. It’s in the former Atomic brewpub, whose position’s just as suited for catching the thirsty knock-off crowd, coming from South Eveleigh or coming home by Redfern Station, as it is for people visiting the area on the weekend.

Food is another big focus. There's classic burgers, roast chook whole or by the half, and a nod to that most cherished of Australian traditions, the late-night kebab. Plus, that old retro classic: meatloaf. After 9pm, there’s a range of kebabs with flavours such as slow-cooked beef, and haloumi with romesco.