Shady Pines Saloon

Great place if you get there early the staff really informative about the history (tall stories) about drinks little pricey but every time has been fantastic

Shady Pines Saloon is one of these venues where you can sense a decorative purpose, a genuine effort to give the place an atmosphere that patrons will come and look for.
The vibe is that of a saloon, possibly a Canadian saloon, or an American one, isolated in the Yosemite National Park. There is warmth and chatter, candle light and dancing shadows, a piano — of course — and a long wooden bar on which you’d expect the barman to poor a line of bourbon along its entire length and set it on fire for the last call.
The choice of drinks, espacially beer, is interesting. Though the place, older brother to both the Baxter Inn on Clarence St and Restaurant Hubert on Bligh St, did not go for size and a crazy world-​renown portfolio like its closest sibling, it has enough choice to make a beer affectionado like me occupy a seat for a few hours without running dry. Without being pricey, it still is a Surry Hills venue and as such beers range from $ 8 to $ 15 approximately — what you’d expect really.
If I had to take someone for a long chat around beer, a bustling and rumbling crowd and enough possibilites to start any kind of night, that’s where I’d go. So go. Now. NOW.
Sorry got excited again. Seriously though, hurry up!

Too much hype !! Over priced for what it is !! … late night service drops off and getting a drink at the bar is too much work … so many places near by where you can chill.

There are good bars, there are great bars, and then there are bars like Shady Pines Saloon.
Dark and a bit dingy, the staff there made me feel so welcome and 100% at home.
It was my first time in Sydney and once I was there, I was 100% drawn in.
Starting with cider and moving to cocktails, the team made the night more than I could have hoped for. Charming, funny and bloody good at what they do, they kept quality in their service throughout the entire night, it didn’t matter how busy they were, each and every customer received the highest level of focus and engagement.
Whether you’re partying on or having a quiet drink, it’s a must see in Sydney

LOVE this place. Hands down one of my favorite spots in Sydney. It’s a whiskey bar (perfect), but they also have these little apple drinks that are made with fresh apple pulp that are amazing! so delicious. The vibe is turn of the century western Americana and they have heaps of kitschy memorabilia throughout (in the best way). Live music some nights. Great place to hang with friends, or pull up a chair at the bar. Good music, good scotch. The back alley entry is no joke, but once you’ve discovered it you’ll likely make it a staple place. Seriously LOVE this bar!

By far one of the best bars I’ve been too! They’re pretty hidden which is great and the decoration inside is so awesome! They have a wide selection of drinks and for one of the drinks you even get to keep the mug! Definitely would go again! Only complaint is they didn’t have many sweet tasting cocktails, but you can always ask for something sweeter and it works out perfect! Lovely bar.

Came here for cocktail hour — 5 pm and not a soul in sight! The space is awesome. Found behind a white door in the alley behind American Apparel off Crown St. There’s a small sign with the bar name but you wouldn’t see it unless you were looking for it. Open the door and turn right to enter the bar, a dim space filled with Western Americana. Moose head on the wall, jukebox music, and I expect, if it was later in the night, peanut shells on the floor.
Bartender was busy prepping and not too friendly, so lost a star on the service mark. A bearded bartender who came later was much friendlier and gave a smile. Specialty cocktail list is short but sweet, starting from $ 17 up to low $ 20s. Beers range in price and are nicely categorized by strength, represented in different horse icons, to go with the theme of the bar.
I’d come back here again when the live band is on, but would probably stick to beers next time.

If you’ve walked down a creepy and questionable alley way, then you’ve come to the right place.
Three friends and I came in on Friday night at around 11 and there was about a 15 minute wait to get in (FYI — no cover). I had no idea it was a themed bar. I guess I didn’t really put two and two together just by the name. Oops. Hey! I was on vacation so parts of my brain were shut off!
Once you get in, it’s like you’re in the wild west (so it makes sense that the bouncer told us a lot of Americans come to this bar). It’s almost like how you see it on TV. Batwing doors, moose heads (though I’m not really sure if that’s from the west?) — the only things missing were cowboys and pistol duels. The setting was cool but the music wasn’t really my taste. It was a tad too hillbilly-​ish for me. It was also super loud in there! My ideal bar would be one where I can hear what my friends are saying, and we have a place to sit, instead of awkwardly loitering by the bar. (I know, I sound like I’m 80. But I guess that’s what old age does to you!)
I think my main gripe was the music. If it was better, I probably would have convinced my friends to stay. I might have even been willing to give my granny antics a rest for one night and STAND!

I came here with a group of 11 on a Friday evening. They do not take bookings/​reservations. We started around 7:30 when there was still plenty of room and seats. By around 9:30 when we left there was a line to get in the door. I don’t know how there is a line because if you’re walking by outside you can’t even tell there’s a bar there. The fact that it’s kind of an underground den adds to the appeal a little bit.
As an American, I enjoyed Shady Pines’ caricature interpretation of an American Bar. I love that they give you the free peanuts, even if they’re not the best peanuts I’ve ever had. The atmosphere is old-​timey and fun, although I didn’t think about it/​realise beforehand that they have lots of dead animal heads on the wall. Not one or two — a lot. This isn’t a problem for me, but there was a vegan in my group who was a little creeped out by it.
The staff seemed to have fun at their jobs and were friendly. I also love the art on their minimalist website. I do believe I will be coming back at some point.

If you get lost coming here, that’s okay. Keep calm and carry on. And honestly, find the bar. I ain’t playing wit chu.
I wish I had come here earlier while I lived in Sydney because it is such a classy joint. Not to mention a lil country, a lil rock & roll, and quite frankly… one of my favorite bars in Sydney. A good point of reference is the American Apparel on Oxford Street. It’s in the lil alley right behind. There will be no sign, but there will be a security guard (and depending on the time of day: a line).
I have had several drinks here and must have enjoyed myself a little too much bc I don’t remember the names. But there is a great selection of cocktails and if you want something a lil different or a lil special, the cool bartenders can fix something up for ya!
Yes, the peanuts are a nice touch. Not to mention the candles, the wooden décor, and the funkiness of it all. If you don’t believe me, here’s another reason why five stars is earned: a moose on the wall. Need I say more?

Very loud and dark which suited my friend who is ugly and had a ridiculous high pitched voice that the girls couldn’t hear in this place. Still. Not much fun for your average joe.

From out front you’d think you were lining up to get into a brothel. Honestly, you’d just never pick the place. But once inside you’re transported to some sort of Wild West log cabin dreamland.
I’m always a fan of a themed bar when it’s done well. The walls are covered in taxidermy everything, they play country, dirty blues and rock n roll music, the lighting is dark enough to make you look flawless but not reveal just how much makeup you’ve had to slap on to acheive those effects and floors are covered in peanut shells because you get an endless supplies of peanuts to nibble on. The bar tenders don’t look out of place and they aren’t douche bags either. I recommend anything with apple juice because it’s freshly squeeze before you very eyes!
It’s a bit trendy, but what else do you expect from a bar hidden down a back alley in Darlinghurst. Get some mates together and talk loudly at each other down at Shady Pines. Yeehaw!

Inside I feel like I’m in the middle of an Abercrombie and Fitch cabin. Deer heads & other stuffed animals on the walls, red neck west-​themed– a relaxed & cool vibe. Baxter Inn has a hipper vibe. Apple whiskey drinks are like sneak attacks of liquor– not too sweet, delicious, & boom… Wooziness. The warm, free peanuts are a plus. Great pregame spot or chill night out to chat with friends.

I am talking, walking down the fire escape to an underground bar, shady lights (couldnt resist that one!), and mounted stuffed animal heads on the wall. And it reeks cool and hip like no other place. The Shady Pines bartenders are as good as they get and know their craft really and you can taste difference right away.. One of my cocktails had a popsicle in it and I was happy as a clam sipping the delicious orange and red concoction! The variety of beers on offer is really good with some very interesting and different choices. Plus theres the free peanuts, and I am just going to say it, is what makes this place the best bar ever!

Shady was, for quite a long time, my favourite bar in Sydney.
Tucked away in a little alley, you wouldn’t even know there is a bar there, but as soon as you manage to find it and walk through the doors, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to an old Western movie.
The décor is awesome, the cocktails are amazing, the staff are super friendly — ditch the tables and sit at the bar with your friends to add to the «I’m in a movie» feel. While you’re at it, make sure you crack open some peanuts, like the true cowboy that you are.

My favorite bar that I visited during my time in Sydney! It was recommended to my group of friends by a local, so we had high expectations. YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY CHECK THIS PLACE OUT. It’s a little hard to find (off a side street) but fantastic atmosphere and even more fantastic drinks!
I’d recommend ordering off the menu if you want a mixed drink that is a little cheaper (~7.50−8 dollars). If you go with a juice-​based drink, they make the juice fresh in front of you! I was so surprised when the bartender grabbed an actual grapefruit for my grapefruit vodka.
Also, free peanuts! Who doesn’t love something free at a bar?
For a bar with freshly squeezed juices and great atmosphere (not «shady» at all), be sure to check this place out.

So I was staring down frowning at google map trying to find the front door and struggled for a little while but success !! With a few people loitering outside the alleyway outside a white door I knew it had to be the place. Wandering down the steps, I was pleasantly surprised to see a nice sort of Western American country cowboy decorated place. It was warm and inviting so ordered a red wine to start off but with only two kind of pizzas on the food menu, it was going to be a struggle to stay longer. Thing to note for the future: huge bonus you can bring your own food though! Will remember for next time.

Wow! This place is indeed very hard to find — literally a hole in a wall (Thanks to Ben for organizing an Unofficial Unilocal Event here).
I love the decorations inside too — very wild west americana style, and the variety of american craft beers they have in stock. Visiting this place is like being transported to Texas!
And also love how they give you complimentary peanuts too (because responsible drinking means you should also eat something right??). Word also has it they have free wifi but I wasn’t able to try it out. Which can be handy because there’s little reception in this place.

Heard a great story last night, both at and about Shady Pines (did that just *blow your mind*? Well buckle in hotshot, things are about to get a whole lot blowier.)
So you know how they give you bowls and bowls of free double-​barelled peanuts here? Well, back in the day (I was totes original Shady Pines, yo) you could just crunch those suckers up and chuck the husks on the floor. Yep. Just toss ‘em away, like a homeless guy does to anything he picks out of a bin that has no value to him. Made you feel like a king to be all messy and not care like that.
Anyway, so, every now and then someone with peanut allergies would come in and walk downstairs and there’s be this invisible peanut fug in the air, like all the little particles from the shells and such just hanging there like tiny mines, and these pansy allergic types (with their wan skin and their poor circulation) would breathe this stuff in and hit the floor. Bam, anaphylactic shock. So the Pines boys, they had to stop the not-​care throw-​anywhere goodness and now we have to dispose of shells in little wicker baskets, which isn’t nearly as fun. Damn allergic fun police ruining our good old-​fashioned fun.
That story is kinda apocryphal in that who knows if its true (and who can be bothered finding out things these days?), but what I do know is this: boy howdy, this bar is all aces. And their house beer is $ 5 cans of Coopers lager. True story.

Finally made it to the Baxter’s sister (or brother) bar. Pretty funky surrounds, I must say, hiding behind that oh-​so discreet front door, marked only byt he friendly doorman helping folks looking for the entrance.
Eclectic is the word — a great fit out of wild west paraphernalia and memorabilia, worthy of a collectors eye. Half expected Wyatt Earp or Billy the Kid to slam through the doors at any second, or some other ornery varmint to swagger in and park up at the bar.
The cocktails are as expected remarkable, all juices seemingly squeezed fresh, and service pretty prompt. Peanuts in the shells to nibble on — yum!
Recommended…