The Retro Bar

THE RETRO BAR IN KENMORE HAS CLOSED.

The Retro Bar cocktail lounge is an oasis of cool 1960s quirk in the midst of a Kenmore commercial area littered with cookie cutter shopping plazas.

Tucked away down a laneway behind one of the aforementioned shopping centres, it makes a perfect retreat for a civilized drink in a Jetsons-meets-Mad Men-style space devoid of giant TV screens and Poker machines.

Take a seat in one of the booths with a view over the trees or in one of the low slung space age swivel chairs and relive the best of the 60's, 70's and 80's with a Japanese Slipper, Pina Colada or Fluffy Duck in hand and soundtrack to match.

As well as the retro cocktails there's beer such as Peroni on tap and a good selection of wines and sparkling wines and a delicious well-priced bar menu that ranges from spiced nuts and olives to bruschetta, mini cheese plates and rustic in-house pizzas.

But The Retro Bar is more than the local groovy cocktail lounge. In the short time since its inception some years ago it has morphed into a buzzy local hub for young vintage-loving hipsters, older patrons looking for a decent meeting place or relaxed night out, local musos in need of a venue and those seeking a great function place.

During the week are music clubs and open mic nights, with a stable of professional musos amongst the regular line-up on weekends. The Retro Bar also has a screen behind the stage to host movies to add to the visit incentives.

Need to know: there is an abundance of parking off Princeton St in the lot behind the commercial centre, overlooked by the Retro Bar. Just take the steps at the back of the building. This is a great mix aged venue that is prone to outbursts of dancing.