Hot venue: Johnny Fontanes, Sydney

[El Presidente]

I look forward to checking this place out. 

I know it is not a big deal in many parts of the world but in Oz, anyone who takes the time (and money) to make a cigar deck available as an addition to their restaurant deserves our local support.  We wouldn't have more than 10 in the country. 

Hot venue: Johnny Fontanes, Sydney

http://www.spicenews.com.au/2017/04/hot-venue-johnny-fontanes-sydney/

[JohnS]

Not more than 10 in the country...yeah, sadly that's probably right. Yes, this place looks interesting.

[OZCUBAN]

I whole heartedly agree they are a rare animal indeed especially in OZ 

what happens if you don't pay your bill do they send the Boys round ?

[Jeremy Festa]

Good effort. Look forward to visiting when in Sydney next!


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[Duxnutz]

Might go over there this afternoon and check it out.

[Smokin Joe]

Great to hear. Will definately check it out next time in Sydney.

[Rustyman]

On 07/04/2017 at 11:23 AM, Duxnutz said:

Might go over there this afternoon and check it out.

Any report back on this place.  A colleague is looking to take someone out for a cigar and this might be somewhere to go.

[Fuzz AI]

Was planning to go last Thursday with a friend but the plans fell through.

[Rustyman]

2 hours ago, Fuzz said:

Was planning to go last Thursday with a friend but the plans fell through.

Thanks Fuzz.  Tell me what it's like if you do go.  The colleague is only planning to go in about 3 weeks time so enough time to give him a heads up.

I would love to but the wife wouldn't so have to rely on the reports of others.

[Duxnutz]

We should do a SYD herf at this place....

[Rustyman]

Good idea if its not too flash

[soutso]

I went in last a Saturday afternoon after visiting a nearby Art Gallery with the good wife. It's a nice place with some great cocktails. We didn't eat so I can't comment on the food. That said, prior to going I ate at a place called "Dumplings and Beer" a few doors down from Johnny Fontane's. How can you resist dumplings and beer?

Smoking is at an upstairs balcony toward the back of the building. Not much of a view but comfortable. It's a nice humble place, not too pretentious. From memory they only sold Monte 4 and Co Ro. I bought a M4 for $30. I rarely buy a cigar when out as they are rarely acclimatised to my tastes. 

That said, the M4 was a beauty. Lovely stick. I'll be going back and a Sydney FOH get together there would be great.

[Rustyman]

Great report back soutso.  You made me eager to have a look now myself.

[Fuzz AI]

11 hours ago, soutso said:

I went in last a Saturday afternoon after visiting a nearby Art Gallery with the good wife. It's a nice place with some great cocktails. We didn't eat so I can't comment on the food. That said, prior to going I ate at a place called "Dumplings and Beer" a few doors down from Johnny Fontane's. How can you resist dumplings and beer?

Smoking is at an upstairs balcony toward the back of the building. Not much of a view but comfortable. It's a nice humble place, not too pretentious. From memory they only sold Monte 4 and Co Ro. I bought a M4 for $30. I rarely buy a cigar when out as they are rarely acclimatised to my tastes. 

That said, the M4 was a beauty. Lovely stick. I'll be going back and a Sydney FOH get together there would be great.

Cheers, Nik. Thanks for the review.

[JohnS]

Our dear friend Samuel Spurr (@habanablue) wrote an article for Cigar Journal on this place in Sydney a few weeks ago...

Cigars and Deep Dish Pizza at Johnny Fontane’s Bar, Sydney

It sounds like a match made in Heaven: Deep dish pizza and cigars. Johnny Fontane’s Bar, the newest haunt in Sydney to offer cigar lovers a relaxed and welcoming outdoor area that complies with current legislation, certainly comes close to Heavenly!

Johnny Fontane was the fictional crooner in the Mario Puzo’s The Godfather, and the bar and restaurant’s mob theme is evident from the moment you walk in. Images of infamous mob identities are located throughout the restaurant, while Italian liquor and cocktails feature heavily behind the bar, including three varieties of Negronis.

Co-owner Thomas Derricott has a growing cigar menu that features Cohiba and Montecristo and a few boutique delights including Dubarton Tobacco and Trust’s Sobremesa. The venue has only been open for a short period of time and Derricott looks forward to adding more to the cigar menu in the coming months.

“While our interior décor transports guests to mob-era Chicago, the outdoor area offered is styled in a Miami/Havana theme,” said Derricott. “We’re really excited to be able to provide a new outdoor area such as our Cigar Deck in Sydney.”

Johnny Fontane’s Bar

77 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Open Tuesday – Thursday: 4pm –midnight, Friday – Saturday: midday to midnight
www.johnnyfontanesbar.com

[Fuzz AI]

Was there on Friday night. To be honest, the smoking deck is too small. With only 8 people up there, it felt really crowded. Didn't help that they've got 3 round tables set up there, and one of them is situated right next to a set of small steps. To get from one side to the other, you have to squeeze your way past, as several of the staff did while serving or cleaning up. Not very well thought out. And if there's a bit of light rain (as it did on Friday night), you're gonna get wet. The big umbrellas do absolutely nothing as they are not waterproof. Water was dripping from beneath the umbrella.

If they got rid of the tables, those set of steps, and put up a proper canopy, then it would be more comfortable.

[OZCUBAN]

1 hour ago, Fuzz said:

Was there on Friday night. To be honest, the smoking deck is too small. With only 8 people up there, it felt really crowded. Didn't help that they've got 3 round tables set up there, and one of them is situated right next to a set of small steps. To get from one side to the other, you have to squeeze your way past, as several of the staff did while serving or cleaning up. Not very well thought out. And if there's a bit of light rain (as it did on Friday night), you're gonna get wet. The big umbrellas do absolutely nothing as they are not waterproof. Water was dripping from beneath the umbrella.

If they got rid of the tables, those set of steps, and put up a proper canopy, then it would be more comfortable.

Such a shame Chris thought you boys over east would be more cigar friendly ,we are lucky here in the West we have a great clubhouse and the best bunch of guys on the planet 

[Fuzz AI]

9 hours ago, OZCUBAN said:

Such a shame Chris thought you boys over east would be more cigar friendly ,we are lucky here in the West we have a great clubhouse and the best bunch of guys on the planet 

 

We have a few locations that are cigar friendly, but space is always an issue.

[luvdunhill]

I will be in Sydney last week in May. It would be fun to meet a few folks and this venue looks as good as any. Anyone free?