Newtown's Punk-Rock Burger Joint
Mary's on Mary Street in Newtown is the punk-rock burger joint Sydney argues over — the burger, double-smashed patties, a deep American whiskey list, and the unrepentant dive-bar atmosphere that Newtown was built on.
The cooking is American smashed-burger at proper restaurant standards: properly-rendered patties, hand-cut fries, considered toppings, and the kind of unfussy diner format that the punk-rock register makes complete.
What to Order
The Mary's burger — the dish the room is built around. Mary's fried chicken for the diner who wants the alternative; hand-cut fries. The whiskey list rewards a confident bourbon order.
The Format
The dive-bar atmosphere is part of the institution's identity. Loud music, dim lighting, the kind of unrepentant register that distinguishes Newtown from the polished alternatives across the city.
Best Occasion: Solo Dining
Mary's is one of Newtown's most natural solo-dining rooms. Counter seating handles a single cover; the format is unintimidating; the price point sits in the bracket where dinner costs less than the whiskey.