Is Old Mates the Hottest Pub in the City?
If you’ve been out on a weekend night in Lower Manhattan lately, chances are you’ve been to Old Mates pub — or perhaps you saw the line and decided to come back another time. Since it opened in February, the Australian newcomer at 170 John St. has become the place to see and be seen. It’s a spot that Maddison Jones, programming and events manager at Old Mates, has dubbed an “Aussie clubhouse through and through,” thanks to its good-time vibes and authentic Australian hospitality.
“The servers are very friendly and accommodating,” she said. “And that’s always what it was meant to feel like. A real Australian, homey, comfortable, good-time bar.”
The three-story pub is regularly packed, and with good reason. The main level has a handsome wood bar with ample seating and TVs prime for live rugby match viewing parties (some at odd hours, to accommodate the 12 to 15 hour time difference). Like any good pub, there’s also a pool table that’s become quite popular. But music is as big a draw as sports: Live music is found on the main level on Sundays, but the lower level is where the party’s at. The downstairs lounge hosts DJs Thursday through Saturday nights (the hotspot even hosted a surprise Dom Dolla set earlier this year, which drew lines around the block). Upstairs, you’ll find tables for a quieter meal in a more intimate bistro setting and trivia on Tuesdays.
Given its popularity, it may be no surprise that the pub has an all-star lineup of Aussie ownership: Hugh Jackman, comedian Hamish and Andy, NBA star Patty Mills, pro surfer Mick Fanning, Nick and Andy Stone of Bluestone Lane and Eddy Buckingham of Tuxedo Hospitality are among the owners.
As for neighbors, the Old Mates team is enjoying getting to know the other businesses at the Seaport. “It’s got such a history, so I’m not surprised it’s developing in such a cool way,” Jones said about the area.
For now, the hotspot has one menu featuring classic dishes and flavors that will make any Australian expat nostalgic: fries with chicken salt, potato wedges with sweet chili and sour cream, pavlova. The parmas (classic Aussie pub grub) are especially popular. The food is excellent and authentic, as are the drinks — the Spinning Around is a delicious vodka cocktail with chinola passionfruit, giffard vanille and passionfruit purée. Plus, the wine list is exclusively Australian, except one from New Zealand.
“You have to respect the neighbors,” Jones said.
main image: courtesy Old Mates
