The Twig And Berry
Newstead
THE TWIG & BERRY HAS PERMANENTLY CLOSED.
The Twig and Berry is Newstead’s secret drinking HQ – an ambient dim lit cocktail den and garden bar tucked away in an old Union headquarters beneath a commercial building.
Enter through the red iron side gates to a fairy-lit brick courtyard scattered with handmade furniture and underground to one side is a roomy basement lounge featuring a ceiling of salvaged vintage doors, gorgeous birdcage lights, a wall of art by local artist Will Powell and black couches with matching wallpaper.
Take a closer look at the half-painted brick wall behind the bar to where the remains of 1970s union, socialist (and the odd communist party) posters and flyers about worker’s rights can still be seen.
Retro leftie propaganda aside, the real sensation here is the cocktails, made by a couple of boys who have cut their teeth in top establishments like The Bowery.
The cocktail menu is divided into original creations (by the boys), classics, and 4 bottled cocktails. Here’s the place to get anything from pitchers of sangria and Bloody Mary to the highly recommended House Cocktails which are pure alchemy. Try the Clockwork Orange - sweet blend of gin, aperol, crème de peche, lemon juice, sugar and passionfruit - or the rich and spicy Boxcutter Smash – an original creation involving whisky, mint, fresh raspberries, lime and house-spiced fig syrup.
As well as the cocktails, punters can enjoy a selection of 20 red/white and sparkling wines, including a sparkling shiraz, and boutique beers and ciders.
*At the time of writing, a bar food list was still being put together and when it is, expect to find locally made spiced nuts and mixed share platters available.