Palomino Lounge
134A Enmore Rd, Newtown
@palomino_lounge_enmore
Wednesday to Sunday from 5pm
Enmore’s bar scene continues its ascent with the opening of Palomino Lounge, the newest addition from the creators of the beloved award-winning small bar, Fortunate Son. Dylan Howarth, a veteran of the hospitality industry and the driving force behind Palomino Lounge is making the most of the overflow of patrons from Fortunate Son, with this new bar accommodating up to 60 patrons.
Drawing inspiration from the buzzing city of Nashville, known as Music City, Palomino Lounge channels the essence of Southern culture, offering a playlist of twangy tunes, hard rock, and blues to accompany its meticulously crafted drinks and top-notch service. In keeping with Howarth’s tradition of fostering cosy neighbourhood bars, Palomino Lounge presents a menu featuring classic cocktails, signature specials, and a frozen Tommy’s margarita that has quickly gained acclaim as one of Sydney’s finest.
“You can draw a lot of similarities between Nashville and Enmore – especially the venues on Nashville’s Broadway that surround the Ryman Theatre. And now, with the council actively supporting the Entertainment Precinct, I think we have a real opportunity to support live music in the area.” – Dylan Howarth, owner
Palomino Lounge has recently launched its live music Sunday sessions, a nod to the lively entertainment scene of both Nashville and Enmore. Howarth remarks, “You can draw a lot of similarities between Nashville and Enmore – especially the venues on Nashville’s Broadway that surround the Ryman Theatre. And now, with the council actively supporting the Entertainment Precinct, I think we have a real opportunity to support live music in the area, and Palomino will complement the o?ering, allowing my team the opportunity to be a part of this next chapter for Enmore.” Conveniently located adjacent to the Enmore Theatre, Palomino Lounge adds another dimension to the neighbourhood’s cultural landscape.
Following Fortunate Son’s recognition as the 2022 Bar of the Year by Australian Bartender Magazine, Howarth continues to prioritize exceptional drink experiences at Palomino Lounge. The menu features a concise selection of house cocktails and a curated assortment of rare spirits, with a particular emphasis on agave-based offerings. While Palomino may not specialize solely in tequila, Howarth plans to host spirit classes in the coming months, covering a range of beverages, including whisky, tequila, rum, and more. Bathed in sunlight from its position on Enmore Road, Palomino also boasts a sophisticated Italian slushie machine, serving up frozen Irish coffees topped with cream alongside a rotating selection of seasonal frozen margaritas.
The venue’s design blends elements of art deco inspired by the neighbourhood’s architectural heritage, dramatic red velvet curtains reminiscent of a theatrical stage, and a nod to Enmore’s distinctive “concrete cowboy” aesthetic.
As for the name, Howarth reveals his inspiration: “I’ve always been a fan of Clint Eastwood, and his frequent visits to the ‘Palomino Club’ in ‘Every Which Way but Loose’ sparked the idea for Palomino Lounge.”
Q&A with Owner, Dylan Howarth
How hard is opening a bar?
Concepts are easy, but building is hard. There is a constant stream of bars unfolding in my head that are searching for a home. It is the bringing of these ideas to life that is the tricky part.
My bars are small, and my budgets are smaller. If you are starting out in a similar situation, you need to be resourceful. Ask yourself, What skills do you bring? How much can you do? What can you make? What can you source? What can you borrow? Small business is hard, and you need to be inventive. For the most part, I enjoy being hands-on with the build. This hands-on involvement can be a blessing and a curse, but it does give me a real sense of the venue’s character as it evolves within the process of construction. For anyone thinking about opening their first venue, I think, ultimately, you need to be real about your access to funding, availability to time and your skill set. I think these three elements, cash, time, and skills combine to determine how hard the opening will be. Then the fun really begins.
“My bars are small, and my budgets are smaller. If you are starting out in a similar situation, you need to be resourceful. Ask yourself, What skills do you bring? How much can you do? What can you make? What can you source? What can you borrow? Small business is hard, and you need to be inventive.”
Now that the doors are open, what are your hopes for Palomino Lounge?
My hope for Palomino is that it works for the guests. Fortunate Son has a loyal band of regular guests who share their lives with us, and I love that; it’s a special place. Palomino has live music, and this is a really exciting addition to what we do. I love the energy that live music brings. I hope that, in time, Palomino becomes an institution within our entertainment precinct of Enmore.
You’re in a bit of a bar precinct now; is this helpful for all of you?
It’s early days, but I believe it to be helpful. Descriptions like this set high expectations, and I believe the Enmore Road Precinct has the credentials to deliver. The calibre of the venues is high, and the camaraderie on the street is strong. Guests can drink, dine and be entertained by such a diverse mix of quality establishments in one strip. I believe this is helping to put Sydney back on the map.
What’s next? Is bar number three on the way anytime soon?
Never say never but my plate is pretty full right now. A Hotel could be cool.