Sunday, May 10, 2009

Pub Talk II - ZanziBar / The Oxford


ZanziBar - or the Oxford as many locals prefer to call it - occupies an important location in the history of Newtown. It was here in 1832 that Sam and Eliza Webster opened New Town Stores, from which Newtown takes its name. The owners quickly discovered that alcohol was more profitable and the New Town Store became the Daniel Webster Hotel, Newtown's first. While that building has long since been replaced, the Oxford also holds the honour of being Newtown's oldest pub.

ZanziBar was the first cab off the renovation rank. Unlike the Bank, the Oxford was kept open while it slowly and painfully transformed itself into a Moroccan themed bar - in fact there was a box on the counter for a while to suggest the bar's new name. As well as a new name, the Oxford got itself a new floor and Newtown's first rooftop bar from the renovations. The rooftop bar is the highlight; although thanks to the neighbours, numbers are strictly limited which means that access is often denied on a Friday/Saturday night, even though the bar appears empty. Pet hate - people who live in Newtown and complain about the noise at 9pm on a Saturday night. Move to Wahroonga.

The Moroccan theme divides locals - some find it tacky (which it is) but I appreciate the effort to distinguish itself from other bars in the area - and the middle floor in particular, with its middle eastern tapas bar, and lounges, is a welcome addition to the Newtown scene. Best of all, the tradition of late night cheese gerkins and bikkies was alive and kicking the last time the Mayor ducked in.

At one stage, the downstairs bar seemed exclusively for out-of-(New)towners, however Zanzibar has recently undergone a second, less drastic renovation that has toned down the more wacky Moroccan-ness and as a result the locals have returned, and indeed there's almost a Darlinghurst feel to it these days. It's still reliably tacky on Friday and Saturday night, and the bouncers are a lot more human than the trogdolytes across the road at the Townie.

Two mayoral thumbs up for the rooftop and one each for the lower floors.

7 comments:

  1. I thought the Daniel Webster became the Marly. Your other post about clean glasses talked about Daniel Webster, the fattest man in the world, in relation to the Marly. Can you confirm the Oxford?

    ReplyDelete
  2. You like the bouncers here? I've found them to be over-the-top zealous and have boycotted this place ever since I was refused service after very soberly tripping on the front step.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Any bouncer is fine compared to the ones at Peppers in Terrigal!

    ReplyDelete
  4. @Danielle -

    Daniel Lambert is the lardish inspiration for the Marlborough - at lease according to Nosey in Newtown. Daniel Webster is the Oxford origin according to the Alan Sharpe history and the council website amongst others.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Lambert
    http://cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/newtownproject/The_Newtown_Picture_Gallery/body_the_newtown_picture_gallery.html#pubs

    Too many Daniels and Danielles !

    ReplyDelete
  5. @Miss Wired - was that recent ? In my experience that was the case a year or two ago but things seem to have improved dramatically in the last year - and the regular guy is calm but still well capable of handling trouble when needed without over-reacting to minor drunkenness. Whereas the Townie guy is as bad as ever.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am totally confused by this website. It says the "New Town" store was started by Sam and Eliza Webster but all other sites say either John Webster or John and Eliza Webster. What is the source of Sam and Eliza?
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello, i've been doing some family research the correct facts are: John Webster rang the New Town grocery store. This became the Daniel Webster Hotel, then the Oxford Hotel and now the Zanzibar. John Webster married Margaret and their address was known as Eliza Street (The Oxford/Zanzibar is situation on the corner of King & Eliza Street). Regard WK

    ReplyDelete