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Say “G’day” to Manhattan’s newest hot spot.
Old Mates, a sprawling, three-story pub steps from Pier 17 at South Street Seaport, is set to provide New Yorkers with an authentic taste of Australia — 21-hour flight not required.
“We’re so surprised that the Australian pub scene hadn’t been really tapped into,” Andy Stone told The Post of the “unique” new venue, which he co-founded with his brother, Bluestone Lane creator Nick Stone, restaurateur Eddy Buckingham and radio star Andy Lee.
It turns out Stone’s surprise was warranted — Old Mates, slated to officially open early next month, held a lively preview party Friday night, which felt like the hottest ticket in town.
Curious locals and Aussie expats alike, including “Succession” star Sarah Snook, crammed into the venue, packing every inch of the 10,000-square-foot space.
Outside, hundreds more waited to enter in a line that snaked around the snowy block.
“I waited 90 minutes to get in,” one ecstatic Aussie raved, before watching a friend do a “shoey” — a uniquely Australian ritual that involves drinking alcohol out of a shoe.
Expats from Down Under know — back home, the neighborhood pub is the lifeblood of every small town and big city suburb. It’s a gathering spot for locals to shoot the breeze, sink a beer and eat a hearty meal (better known as “pub grub”).
Now, Old Mates is set to serve the same function for Lower Manhattan.
The space
Located in the former “Trading Post” building on John Street, Old Mates’ ambitions are apparent in its sheer size.
“It’s frickin’ huge,” Stone said of the gargantuan space that features four separate bars set over three levels. “Australian pub culture is based around big venues with multiple rooms so that you can curate the experience — and that’s what we’ve really leaned on.”
The first floor features a huge horseshoe bar, several private dining booths, a pool table and a platform perfect for performances by a live band or DJ.
Upstairs, a cozy dining space dubbed “The Harbor Room” will serve classic Aussie roast dinners every Sunday, while a seductively lit “Sticky Carpet Lounge” is located below ground.
That secluded, subterranean spot will no doubt become a Seaport staple for lovers looking to finish off a successful date with a late nightcap.
As for the decor, Stone and his co-founders have spared no expense in making the pub feel like it’s authentically Australian.
“It’s an Aussie pub, not an Aussie-themed pub,” Stone stressed. “You won’t see ‘Crocodile Dundee’ posters on the wall.”
Instead, it’s at the forefront of new art-and-design movements, something reflected in the Old Mates’ interior.
There are custom-made carpets and pricey paintings — including originals from some of Australia’s most famous artists including Ken Done and Reg Mombassa.
“It legitimately feels like home,” Stone stated. “It feels like any of the marquee pubs in Sydney or Melbourne.”
This Australia-born reporter can attest that he’s right.
The ‘pub grub’
Aussie cafe culture has been exported en masse to the Big Apple in the past decade, with avocado toast and flat whites now almost as ubiquitous as Nathan’s hot dog carts.
In nearly every New York City nabe you can find Americans chowing down on brunch at an Aussie cafe — from Two Hands in Tribeca to Ruby’s in the East Village.
However, it’s the neighborhood pub that’s the most important place for food and drink Down Under — and Old Mates is now offering up that culinary experience.
“We’ll have a really elevated menu based around the core values of what is Australian pub cuisine,” Stone explained. “It’s at such a high quality that people are going to be blown away trying everything.”
Old Mates will serve fresh local produce and premium Australian beef, all at affordable pub prices.
On the menu: Aussie classics such as lamb chops, steak and chips, and a burger “with the lot ” (for the uninitiated: that means it comes topped with pineapple and a fried egg).
The wine list is also 100% Australian, and there’s a slew of brews and spirits sourced from Down Under.
The atmosphere
While the food and drink at an Aussie pub may be important, it’s the atmosphere that’s paramount.
At Old Mates, the aim is to make new mates — including employees behind the bar.
General manager Amanda Verratti has assembled a team of uber-friendly bartenders and wait staff, and says personality was paramount during the hiring process.
There are currently around 25,000 Australians living in New York, and many will no doubt find Old Mates a comforting home away from home.
And they’ll likely be joined by their many American mates looking for something foreign without a fuss.
“Locals that live in Lower Manhattan have been knocking on the door and eagerly waiting for us to open,” Stone said.
“The amount of people in Manhattan who are connected to an Australian or have been to Australia is amazing.”
