Bar Centrale

I’m not sure whether one can consider a sports bar to be trendy, but this place seems to come really close. Mind you, when I first came here, and the second and third times as well, I wouldn’t have picked it for a sports bar, but it seems to be listed under that heading on the internet. I never expected that a sports bar would have an old telephone box and a Golden Fleece petrol pump sitting in the middle of the room, but this is what this one has. There are also a couple of pool tables, if you are up for a game, but what I really like about this place is the atmosphere (and the comfy lounges). I also really like the random items that cover the wall, and of course the petrol pump and the telephone box.

For a sports bar this place could offer a lot more. Granted the times I’ve been here have been to watch Test cricket, hardly a big crowd puller like AFL games must be (especially those featuring Carlton) but each time one of the cardinal sins of any sports bar — playing music instead of commentary from matches — has been repeated.
As a result the atmosphere has been uncomfortable, me and a couple of other lonely blokes sitting around sipping on a pot, trying to watch sport but while listening to 90s pop hits. It’s just wrong.
The walls are adorned with all sorts of sporting paraphernalia and I’m sure this place could be good with a bit more effort from the owners. The service is slow and usually talking to one of the assorted characters that tends to drop in for a chat rather than attending the bar.
There’s not much competition in terms of places to watch live sport around here so a bit more thought and committment to make this place a worthwhile regular for anything but big matches.