HOBART | When you haven’t been to a city since before the pandemic, it’s no surprise that things will have changed. What it comes to Hobart’s hospitality scene, I was struck, but I suppose not surprised, to notice that many of the venues that I visited during my whirlwind eight hours in town, were in places where old favourites once stood. Where one door closes, another opens I suppose.
When I walked up to entrance of Sonny, I immediately had flashbacks to many a good time at the space’s previous venue, Kaiju Can Bar. No relation to Kaiju Brewing, the tiny venue was a very random places – a couple who really loved craft beer and Japanese manga, cinema, and pop culture. The space reflected them and didn’t follow any rules. I loved popping in whenever I was in town.
While it was sad to see Kaiju gone, Sonny, which has ben on my list for a while now, is one hell of a replacement. From the cosy 20 seat layout, to the friendly staff, the food and drink, and the general vibe of the places, many boxes are ticked.
Sonny is one of those venues where everything comes together just so. Owner/chef Matt Breen has created a venue that’s evocative of times spent at Bahama Gold and Gerald’s in Melbourne, at Leigh Street Wine Room in Adelaide, and several little tapas bars in Spain and Portugal. Whatever ‘it’ is, Sonny has it.
An open kitchen, well more of a tiny cooking station, lies at the end of the bar. A small menu of bar snacks and a pasta or the like are on offer, along with a handful of wines by the glass and bottle, and a few cocktails.
The food and drinks menu is constantly changing. When I visited I only had space for a few snacks. The bresaola toast, chorizo in wine, and oyster were all outstanding. I’m still thinking about that toast to this day. The fun size Americano and ‘mystery wine’, also great.
If you come hungry, which I would have if I didn’t have to leave town in 90 minutes with a stop into Mary Mary on the way, you can work your way through its entirety between two. And if you don’t have to leave town that night, I recommend settling in for what will be a memorable, joyful evening. I can’t wait to return.
Sonny
120A Elizabeth Street
Hobart
Tasmania 7000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Thu – Mon: 4:00pm to 11:30pm