The Endeavour Tap Rooms could easily be missed as you wander through the rocks, distracted by artisanal market fare. But be distracted no more and endeavour (droll, so droll) to enjoy the onset of Spring with smoked meats, small-batch house-brews and live blues music on weekends for the month of September.
Considering this venue was once a brothel – it’s fair to say the walls have seen a disproportionate amount of attention paid to fresh meat (ahem…) but we’d suggest the team at Endeavour Tap Rooms are giving the long previous tenants a run for their money.
Seven hours in the smoker and eight in the oven is how long the team will tell you it takes to infuse Louisiana style smoked pork shoulder and southern smoked brisket with their rich flavour. Both meats are as tender as you’d imagine and simply fall apart in your mouth. The pork and brisket are included in the Smoked Meat Platter for two.
The Andouille sausage is stuffed locally by a sausage expert (!!) and made with a hint of spice and chilli, with a little kick at the end. Nothing short of delicious. Thankfully there are two on the platter, meaning you don’t have to share the sausage.
The $50 Smoked Meat Platter also includes old bay slaw, rolls, homemade apple sauce and homemade BBQ sauce. The platter is a double dare, teasing you to not be completely full and prepared to roll down to Circular Quay afterwards. It’s a dare we took on and were incredibly stuffed by the end.
All beers on site are brewed in a tiny space, but what it lacks in size it makes up with flavour punch.
The recommended in-house accompanying brew is The Big Easy Endeavour Beer a limited edition Bourbon infused porter, brewed with bourbon soaked oak chips. Two bottles of Maker’s Mark goes into this high rye porter. It’s dark, brooding and delicious. There’s a rising chocolate character, with coffee and spice notes. Definitely worth having more than one. It’s limited edition, so be quick.
Be sure to visit the Endeavour Tap Rooms before the end of September. Live music on Saturdays from 1.30pm and Sundays from 3pm. Sit back, relax and imagine yourself in Bourbon Street. What better way to do it, than with a bourbon beer.
Endeavour Tap Rooms
39/43 Argyle St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Brews, BBQ & Blues Festival 1-30 September
Opening hours:
Monday -Thursday 11am – Late
Friday & Saturday 11am – Midnight
Sunday 11am – 10pm