Surry Hills-Darlinghurst
www.lovetillydevine.com
91 Crown Lane, Darlinghurst
You'll remember the first time you visit Love, Tilly Devine. It starts when you head down a dodgy alley and around the corner to a stripped brick frontage that looks like a page straight out of Sydney history. You'll find yourself saying 'wow' or 'cool'. This wine bar is both. Navigating the wine menu is almost as difficult as finding the place, so don't be shy to ask for help. While you’re deciding on a wine, take a look at the food menu which, unlike a lot of other small bars, seems to find the right balancing act in both portion sizes and taste: oysters, cheese plates, mixed salamis. Not a meal, but more an experience. You don't have to limit your indulgence to night time either - the place opens at 4pm on Sundays and is a great way to warm up in winter or hang out on an easy Sunday afternoon.
A lot of bars seem to be haphazardly located in back alleys, but the location of Love, Tilly Devine is in an area that has a notorious history and just over a decade it was still considered a seedy area (Tilly Devine was a violent drug dealer and owner of brothels). It is not the easiest bar to spot, so start on Crown Street, one block up from William Street. Enter Yurong Lane (next to Budget), take the first left and it will be on your left. Incidentally Love Tilly Devine backs onto the small bar, Owl House (however, you can’t walk through) and across the lane from Tilly is another small bar, Red Lily. A quick right off Crown Lane and Left into Riley St will take you to Bar Pacifico: four great bars within 100m. Another 100m will take you to Hazy Rose on Stanley Street.
Best things: The great range of wines that would easily challenge those found in many fine dining restaurants, accompanied by simple yet tasty food options
Don't miss: Venturing out and trying different wines from all over the world
Ideal for: Small groups, dates, catch-up with friends
Date tip: Mezzanine section, area to the right of the bar. Avoid the tiny two-seater tables in front of the bar.
Gripe: some tables can be a little cramped and the space can get a little hot.
Rating: 8/10
Last updated: August 2017
You are here: Love Tilly Devine, Sydney CBD review and address. A bustling and sometimes crowded small bar, it still provides an alternative for the beer-swilling venues that have dominated much of the city.