The pubs that make a city
Words: Claudia Dichiera
Pictures: Samuel Graves
With much debate about development, heritage and the threat to CityMag’s knock off venue the Crown & Anchor, we thought we’d highlight some CBD venues and the people that drink there.
As well as the Cranker, we ventured to Roxie’s, The Exeter, and The Stag (do note that we did a 360 walk through The Austral, and then we did another one, and another one, and found no potential Style Sample candidates).
We found people from all walks of life: band members and band goers, late night workers on a break, interstaters and overseas visitors, friends reuniting after months apart and others just meeting up for a pint and a packet of salt and vinegar chips.
We asked these people about their favourite drink, their go-to fit and favourite pub memories.
Matilda Brown
Go-to pub outfit?
“I do love overdressing at the pub. At the Exeter or the Cranker, just being in a dingy pub and wearing your fancy clothes is a good time.”
Tessa Stephens (left)
Go to drink?
“Any lager, probably.”
Albert Timster (left)
Favourite pub memory?
Hopefully winning at that machine.
Angelo Catalano (right)
Favourite pub memory?
Drinking a lot of dark ales of the Favela. Do you remember the Favela upstairs by any chance before Midnight Spaghetti? It’s always been my favourite place to hang out. Three-dollarschooners for a dark ale, so get drunk, talk nonsense and it’s always a good time.
Lana McKeever
Favourite local band?
“Probably Nocturnal Animals at the moment just because an old high school friend’s in them and they’re starting to blow up, really good guys.”
Taylah Cini
Go-to pub outfit?
“Normally jeans and a cute top. Or I like to say warm, big cozy jacket, always jeans.”
Collette Livingston (right)
What’s your favourite pub memory?
“Reading in pubs. We’ve read in pubs around the world, because it’s really nice for during the day to be at the chillest places, get a lot of reading done, and at night, one of the best places to see live music. That’s why I love pubs, they’re so versatile.”
Rosio Mevina (middle)
What’s your favourite pub memory?
“In New York, I was at a pub and then a drag show just started in the middle of the day. All of a sudden the drag queens got on stage like it’s very universal. It was in New York City though.”
Richard Abbott (left)
Go-to pub drink?
“Guinness.”
Jack Colyer (left)
Favourite pub memory?
“Back when Fowler’s Live was still a thing, I was maybe 18 at a gig and I was picked up by one friend of mine and a bunch of strangers and just thrown into the crowd. Then got politely returned back to my place. It was fun.”
Jed Johnston (right)
Go-to drink?
“Carlton Draught.”
Lochlan Van Eck (left)
Favourite pub memory?
“I don’t know, just the many nights that I’ve gone out.”
Josh Delaney (right)
Favourite pub memory?
“Hanging out with my mates here at the Cranker, playing 8 Ball, getting dinner up top, drinking beers until the sun comes up.”
Cecilia Tran-Pham
Go-to drink?
“Right now, it’s a vodka lemonade. I can’t digest just alcohol and this is the best I can do.”
Hannah Linsell (left)
Favourite pub memory?
“Probably breaking up bar fights.”
Lachlan Toogood (right)
Favourite pub memory?
“Those days of coming to the Cranker as a naive 18-year-old and drinking the $3 beers on a Wednesday night.”
Lachie Blake
Favourite pub memory?
“Oh my god, one time I got locked in a pub in France and got a bunch of free booze.”
How did you get locked in a pub in Paris?
“You know what? We were just there for too long. The owner said we’re locking up, I don’t care if you stay, stay or leave, and we were like we’ll stay and see what happens.”
Almee Cheng (left)
Favourite pub memory?
“Probably getting drunk with a bunch of friends as always.”
Aaron Cox (right)
What’s your go-to drink?
“I’m a gin and tonic guy. I’m not snobby about gin, as long as it’s got gin and I can taste the juniper then I’m happy.”
This article was first published in print Issue 43 of CityMag, released in June 2024.
