Interview by Andy Ratcliff. E mail him at andrewjohn@me.com
The Dock
182 Redfern St, Redfern
Thedock.bar
Should you’ve been out in Redfern in the previous couple of years, you’ve little question stumbled throughout The Dock. This nook dive bar, situated within the coronary heart of Redfern on the nook of Redfern and Regent Avenue, has been servicing thirsty drinkers since 2011. In the present day, we communicate with proprietor Tom Whittle about how he grew to become the proprietor and operator of this little slice of city heaven.
The place did you begin in hospitality? When did you purchase The Dock?
My begin in hospo was really right here, at The Dock, again in 2019.
What did you do earlier than that for a job?
I began out as a sparky, did an apprenticeship, however didn’t actually vibe with it. Then I turned my pastime on the time, DJing, right into a full-time job. I promoted events and DJed again within the noughties. Via that, I obtained into Audio Visible and began doing sound installs at venues throughout Sydney, so my sparky expertise discovered new life. I additionally did a little bit of touring, doing sound at festivals too.
 
What was it like within the golden years of the Cross?
The Cross was nice again then, pre-lockouts. Positive, it was just a little seedy, however it simply had a lot character and characters. It was mainly like a mini-festival each Friday and Saturday evening. It’s actually a special place now, though I see lots of cool stuff popping up there, so I believe there are nonetheless a number of extra chapters within the story of the Cross.
Have you ever obtained any cool tales of your time there?
There are such a lot of, however attempting to consider one which doesn’t incriminate anybody is difficult. The variety of instances I believed to myself, “How is that this allowed to occur?” However that was simply the character of the Cross.
What made you wish to get into The Dock?
Truthfully, I fell into it. The Dock had been my native just about because it opened, and I used to be good mates with the proprietor, Jed. I believe I used to be sitting on the bar one arvo, and he talked about he had a little bit of a employees scarcity and wanted somebody to cowl the next week. I mentioned I’d do it! I already had a set of keys as I used to be doing little bits of upkeep for him, so my first shift was a Wednesday alone. I had spent sufficient time in bars and had sufficient mates in hospo to know the fundamentals. When somebody requested for a cocktail, I simply took out my cellphone and googled the recipes. Now, I’m not going to say that first few weeks the cocktails had been the best, however you recognize, faux it until you make it! Jed has now moved on to begin a household and an artwork farming enterprise, although you may nonetheless discover him loitering within the bar weekly.
You’ve owned it for 4 years now, and also you took over throughout COVID. What on earth made you assume you can do that? I really like that audacity and confidence!
I had at all times wished to personal a bar, so when the chance arose, I simply went for it. I didn’t assume an excessive amount of about it; if I had, possibly I wouldn’t be right here.
Sea Shanties are mainly a bunch singalong, as individuals as soon as would have achieved lots of of years in the past. They’ve been operating on the bar each Monday evening for over 10 years now. It’s a really totally different expertise, and though not for everybody, I at all times encourage individuals to test it out.
What have the foremost studying curves been for you over time as an proprietor and operator?
Every thing! I imply, I had some transferable expertise, however most of it was faculty of the deep finish. And actually, I’m nonetheless studying. I’m at all times tweaking what we do to enhance the expertise. I can’t see that ever altering.
What recommendation do you could have for anybody seeking to open a bar?
If it’s what you wish to do, go for it like I did. Simply ensure you’re ready to work lengthy hours and have lists of issues to try this you’ll by no means full—stuff is regularly added.
What I really like about your bar is the ocean shanty Monday singalongs. Are you able to inform me extra about that?
Sea Shanties are mainly a bunch singalong, as individuals as soon as would have achieved lots of of years in the past. They’ve been operating on the bar each Monday evening for over 10 years now. It’s a really totally different expertise, and though not for everybody, I at all times encourage individuals to test it out.
The Dock is an establishment in Redfern with a boatload of standard visitors. How do you retain individuals coming again in any case these years, and what’s your philosophy in direction of service and your visitors?
We’ve got enjoyable behind the bar and make our prospects really feel welcome to have enjoyable with us. That’s it, actually!
You’re my favorite dive bar in Sydney, and I really feel like that idea is sadly dying now. Do you assume you’ll ever change it up with the idea or preserve preventing the nice combat?
Dive bar for all times, child!
What are your future plans?
We’ve got our thirteenth birthday developing in September. We missed our tenth because of COVID, so I believe 13 is an effective milestone to place collectively one thing massive! We even have an area upstairs that we’ve got DA to construct a brand new 120-capacity venue. Consider a barely extra polished model of The Dock however with a stage, a kitchen, and otherworldly vibes. Keep tuned!
What’s one of the best half about proudly owning a beloved bar?
All of the those that I meet and folks thanking us for a great time! That’s what makes it for me!
Redfern is filled with a great deal of attention-grabbing characters. Who’s essentially the most attention-grabbing individual or creature you’ve come throughout?
So many! However one which stands out could be Paul, who sadly handed away a number of years in the past. He didn’t drink booze, however his fridge didn’t work, so each evening earlier than shut, he’d are available for a bag of ice to maintain his drinks chilled at residence. He was a drag queen again within the day and was at all times dressed just a little scruffy, but flamboyant. He would sit on the bar and have a chat whereas we had been closing, crunching ice louder than anybody you’ve ever met, attempting to speak me into shopping for property in Redfern, which I don’t assume he had a clue about himself, telling a unclean joke, then leaving. He was positively a well known character within the space.
