If you think Sydney has seen the best of tiki, think again. Papa Gedes is the brand new small bar in town and it takes tiki to a new level. 

Down, yep you guessed it, a laneway, Papa Gedes is tucked into what was once a garage space off Kent Street. 

What makes this drinking hole stand out is that it’s laid back and quietly confident – you know you’re in experienced hands.

Owners Lara Dignam (Red Lantern, Toko), Mick Dhinse (Grandma’s Grasshopper) and Hosh Ng (The Wild Rover, Pool Bar) have been collecting bits and pieces for a few years. It took them a year to outfit the place – the bar is made from old benches taken from Sydney Uni’s Fisher Library and no brightly coloured tiki mug is the same.

Named after the Haitian voodoo spirit of love and laughter, Papa Gedes is definitely brewing something special. The cocktail list is a lot of fun – pick something with the bar’s handmade apple, cherry or coffee pecan bitters and watch out for the absinthe.

Banda All Night comes with a warning – gin, green fairies and green apples, homemade apple cider, absinthe and lemon, but we tried our luck with The Gambling Priest and were well rewarded.

Papa Gedes
Via Laneway, Rear 348 Kent Street, Sydney 2000
Monday- Saturday: 5pm-12am