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Restaurant

ANTE

146 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia

Recommended by 28 people

Updated

Find ANTE

146 King St, Newtown NSW 2042, Australia

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HoursMonday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Thursday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Friday: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About ANTE

Low lights, needle drops on vinyl, and an exacting drinks list make ANTE Newtown’s benchmark listening bar. Sydney’s dining set heads here for focused cooking over routine drinking snacks—charcoal pork jowl skewers, snapper crudo, and tagliatelle with shiitake. Guests routinely leave the pairings to the floor crew, who build custom flights from small-producer jizake without a drop of pretension. Acoustic treatment keeps conversation effortless over the turntable hum, backed by a walk-in waitlist that texts your phone when counter stools clear.

  • Analog Sound & Setting: Curated LP records spin over acoustic wall paneling designed to keep conversation effortless across dim, candlelit tables.
  • Curated Sake Flights: Staff tailor custom tasting flights drawn from rare regional Japanese bottles, matching each pour to your meal.
  • Inventive Bar Dining: The kitchen delivers precise dishes like Murray cod brawn, pork jowl skewers, and crisp leather jacket katsu sandwiches.
RestaurantModern AustralianJapaneseBarRestaurant

What's On at ANTE

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why ANTE Stands Apart

From analog vinyl fidelity and guided sake exploration to flexible solo dining, plan your visit to Newtown's premier listening bar tonight.

  • Analog Acoustics for Easy Conversation

    A dedicated analog turntable spinning physical LPs combined with intentional acoustic soundproofing ensures rich sound while keeping conversations effortless.

    the acoustics and sound quality of the bar make for a enjoyable listening experience.

    Dan S

  • Intimate Low-Lit Date Night Ambiance

    Intimate, low-wattage lighting and a warm, unhurried room create an atmospheric backdrop tailored for one-on-one dates and dinners.

    the dim atmosphere made it the perfect spot for a cosy night out.

    Helen A

  • Staff-Curated Bespoke Sake Flights

    Floor staff guide diners through an expansive jizake library with personalized, educational tasting flights tailored to individual palates.

    She is so knowledgeable and paired us with our own type of sakes for the flight and it made it very memorable.

    Adhitya Suvarna (Addy)

  • Nuanced Pairings of Plates and Sake

    Inventive Japanese-leaning small plates are thoughtfully composed to enhance and complement the flavor profiles of craft sake.

    The sake she recommended was delicious, light, well-balanced and paired well with the food.

    Jaclyn Forrester

  • Flexible Half Portions for Solo Diners

    Solo guests dining at the bar can explore a wide spectrum of the inventive kitchen menu thanks to accommodating half-portion offerings.

    great option for solo diners they offer half portions of a lot of the menu so you can try lots of different things.

    Tim Wright

  • Effortless Walk-In Waitlist System

    ANTE's walk-in model uses a seamless digital notification system, freeing guests to enjoy King Street while their counter seats are readied.

    They text when the table is available, making it easy.

    Roisin Oates

Guest favorites and signature pours frequently highlighted across customer reviews.

  • Pork Jowl Skewer

    Really enjoyed their snapper crudo, pork jowl skewer and their prawn pasta.

    Brandon Wu

  • Tagliatelle with Shiitake Mushrooms

    The stand out dish was the Tagliatelle with shiitake mushrooms, so much depth and umami.

    Roisin Oates

  • Potato Mochi

    We had the ceviche and potato mochi to start - interesting and unique flavours with a flair of Japanese fusion.

    Roisin Oates

  • Sake Tasting Flight

    Highly recommend doing a sake tasting flight the friendly staff are always happy to pick out a selection for you from their daunting selection.

    Tim Wright

Other favorites

Beyond the primary savoury plates and sake flights, these desserts and curated beverages round out the table.

  • Tripping Out Cocktail

    My Tripping Out cocktail was my favourite.

    Cris Lee

  • Yuzu Non-Alcoholic Drink

    The yuzu non alcoholic drink is super addicting, a popular choice despite it being a sake bar.

    Emily

  • Madeleines

    Their madelines are just simply the best! Warm, fluffy & light.

    Asti Tiana

  • Cheese Dessert

    The sake was so good, and the food was just as good too, especially the cheese for dessert.

    Karen Maluf

Beyond the menu

Distinct hospitality rituals that elevate an analog evening into an indelible dining experience—join the counter to secure your seat.

  • Tailored Sake Flight Pairings

    Rather than confining guests to a pre-set list, floor staff consult directly on individual taste profiles to pour personalized tasting flights from their extensive craft sake cellar.

  • Half-Portions for Solo Diners

    To ensure solo diners can experience the breadth of the menu, staff actively suggest and prepare half-portions while consulting on hunger levels and ingredient preferences.

  • Front-Row Hibachi and Kitchen View

    Counter seating along the kitchen lets guests watch culinary technique up close, from chefs working the hibachi grill to deliberate plate assembly.

  • Miniature Origami Crane Farewell

    At the conclusion of the meal, the bill is delivered with a delicate miniature folded paper crane as an parting hospitality gesture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you book a table, or is it walk-in only?

ANTE operates on a walk-in-only basis with no advance table reservations. If the venue is full when you arrive, staff place you on a digital waitlist and call or text you once a table opens up, allowing you to grab a drink nearby while waiting.

Is ANTE suitable for solo dining?

Yes. Solo diners are welcomed at the counter, and staff can prepare half portions of many menu items so you can sample multiple dishes on your own.

How do sake flights work if you are new to sake?

You do not need any prior sake knowledge. The staff will curate a tailored tasting flight based on your taste preferences and help guide pairings across your meal.

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