Long serving Shady Pines Saloon bar manager, Pasan Wijesena, is in the process of building a Newtown venture earmarked to have a New Orleans/voodoo vibe. Taking over the old Betta Meats site – a butcher’s shop for over 70 years – the venue has been given the handle Earl’s Juke Joint – named after a famous New Orleans drummer called Earl Palmer.
With the backing of the Shady Pines Saloon and Baxter Inn owners, Anton Forte and Jason Scott, the venue is set to open in December 2012. The venue will hold approximately 120 people with drinks leaning towards New Orleans classics like the Vieux Carré, Ramos Gin Fizz and the Hurricane. You’ll be able to expect a cracking range of American whiskeys, Cognac and pastis with local brewery, Young Henry, no doubt making an appearance.
Earl’s Juke Joint will be located at 407 King Street, Newtown, NSW.
Catch Anton Forte discussing how build your own bar empire at the Bar Week seminar, How To Open Your Own Bar, Tuesday 25th at 11am.
There most certainly be some sort of homage to Rita.
6 days a week selling meat there for over 45 years needs to be commemorated.
The meat really was Betta.
best.bacon.ever.
Hopefully they’ll do a bacon-related cocktail, and name it in homage.
Rita and that bun she wore on the top of her head that may or may not have been her own hair.. arhh the memories.
he can beat my meat any time! mmmm
what has happened to this? No evidence of any reno activity at the site and the For Lease sign remains up.
I hope the new tenants appreciate the newtown vibe and don’t rack up prices akin to their other venues….. i know small bars sometimes struggle with overheads but $9 for the cheapest bottled beer (Shady Pines) is a piss take given the student and arts incomes!
yep, still waiting. Did they run outta cash?
It’s nice to have a few new bars about, but really, we need a butcher and a fish shop, really, so we can be in a living neighbourhood as well as a fun, entertaining one..
…jus’ sayin’ …