The Dock
182 Redfern St, Redfern
Thedock.bar
If you’ve been out in Redfern in the last few years, you’ve no doubt stumbled across The Dock. This corner dive bar, located in the heart of Redfern on the corner of Redfern and Regent Street, has been servicing thirsty drinkers since 2011. Today, we speak with owner Tom Whittle about how he became the owner and operator of this little slice of urban heaven.
Where did you start in hospitality? When did you buy The Dock?
My start in hospo was actually here, at The Dock, back in 2019.
What did you do before that for a job?
I started out as a sparky, did an apprenticeship, but didn’t really vibe with it. Then I turned my hobby at the time, DJing, into a full-time job. I promoted parties and DJed back in the noughties. Through that, I got into Audio Visual and started doing sound installs at venues all around Sydney, so my sparky skills found new life. I also did a bit of touring, doing sound at festivals too.
What was it like in the golden years of the Cross?
The Cross was great back then, pre-lockouts. Sure, it was a little seedy, but it just had so much character and characters. It was basically like a mini-festival every Friday and Saturday night. It’s certainly a different place now, although I see a lot of cool stuff popping up there, so I think there are still a few more chapters in the story of the Cross.
Have you got any cool stories of your time there?
There are so many, but trying to think of one that doesn’t incriminate anyone is tricky. The number of times I thought to myself, “How is this allowed to happen?” But that was just the nature of the Cross.
What made you want to get into The Dock?
Honestly, I fell into it. The Dock had been my local pretty much since it opened, and I was good mates with the owner, Jed. I think I was sitting at the bar one arvo, and he mentioned he had a bit of a staff shortage and needed someone to cover the following week. I said I’d do it! I already had a set of keys as I was doing little bits of maintenance for him, so my first shift was a Wednesday on my own. I had spent enough time in bars and had enough friends in hospo to know the basics. When someone asked for a cocktail, I just took out my phone and googled the recipes. Now, I’m not going to say that first few weeks the cocktails were the greatest, but you know, fake it till you make it! Jed has now moved on to start a family and an art farming business, though you can still find him loitering in the bar weekly.
You’ve owned it for 4 years now, and you took over during COVID. What on earth made you think you could do this? I love that audacity and confidence!
I had always wanted to own a bar, so when the opportunity arose, I just went for it. I didn’t think too much about it; if I had, maybe I wouldn’t be here.
Sea Shanties are basically a group singalong, as people once would have done hundreds of years ago. They have been running at the bar every Monday night for over 10 years now. It’s a very different experience, and although not for everyone, I always encourage people to check it out.
What have the major learning curves been for you over the years as an owner and operator?
Everything! I mean, I had some transferable skills, but most of it was school of the deep end. And really, I’m still learning. I’m always tweaking what we do to improve the experience. I can’t see that ever changing.
What advice do you have for anyone looking to open a bar?
If it’s what you want to do, go for it like I did. Just make sure you’re prepared to work long hours and have lists of things to do that you will never complete—stuff is continually added.
What I love about your bar is the sea shanty Monday singalongs. Can you tell me more about that?
Sea Shanties are basically a group singalong, as people once would have done hundreds of years ago. They have been running at the bar every Monday night for over 10 years now. It’s a very different experience, and although not for everyone, I always encourage people to check it out.
The Dock is an institution in Redfern with a boatload of regular guests. How do you keep people coming back after all these years, and what’s your philosophy towards service and your guests?
We have fun behind the bar and make our customers feel welcome to have fun with us. That’s it, really!
You’re my favourite dive bar in Sydney, and I feel like that concept is unfortunately dying now. Do you think you’ll ever change it up with the concept or keep fighting the good fight?
Dive bar for life, baby!
What are your future plans?
We have our 13th birthday coming up in September. We missed our 10th due to COVID, so I think 13 is a good milestone to put together something big! We also have a space upstairs that we have DA to build a new 120-capacity venue. Think of a slightly more polished version of The Dock but with a stage, a kitchen, and otherworldly vibes. Stay tuned!
What’s the best part about owning a beloved bar?
All the people that I meet and people thanking us for a good time! That’s what makes it for me!
Redfern is full of loads of interesting characters. Who’s the most interesting person or creature you’ve come across?
So many! But one that stands out would be Paul, who sadly passed away a few years ago. He didn’t drink booze, but his fridge didn’t work, so every night before close, he’d come in for a bag of ice to keep his drinks chilled at home. He was a drag queen back in the day and was always dressed a little scruffy, yet flamboyant. He would sit at the bar and have a chat while we were closing, crunching ice louder than anyone you’ve ever met, trying to talk me into buying property in Redfern, which I don’t think he had a clue about himself, telling a dirty joke, then leaving. He was definitely a well-known character in the area.