If you’ve driven along Honeysuckle Drive recently, you might have noticed some changes happening to one of the waterfront precinct’s long-standing hospitality venues.

Hideout on the Harbour is the newest opening in Honeysuckle, taking over the former Honeysuckle Social space and turning it into a hub for casual dining and fun cocktails.

Led by Trent Smith and the team from much-loved (and not far down the road) pub The Dockyard, Hideout on the Harbour is in good hands as it establishes itself as Honeysuckle’s new favourite spot, whether it’s for affordable midweek dining or a laid back Sunday sesh.

While Trent has owned the premise for few months, he and his team only had two weeks to transform it into Hideout on the Harbour after the previous tenant left.

After plenty of fresh paint, a good cleanup, new furniture, some rearranging, and the addition of Hideout on the Harbour’s slick branding, the bar feels totally different.

So, what can you expect from a visit to this Honeysuckle hang-out? 

To start, the cocktail list is a great kick start to a night out, featuring plenty of nods to Hideout’s harbourside setting. The Sailors Spritz with limoncello, elderflower, lemon juice, agave, and prosecco is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for sipping on a balmy afternoon, while the Hurricane is ideal for those cooler nights, featuring Stolen Gold rum, Bacardi, Galliano Vanilla, and passionfruit syrup with a Kraken rum float.

You’ll find the classics on the menu too, plus cocktail jugs and some cracking happy hour specials (like $12 cocktails from 3pm-6pm on weekdays).

Hideout on the Harbour’s mocktail offering isn’t one to miss either – expect five classic cocktails (like an espresso martini and a margarita), each made with Lyre’s Spirit Co’s innovative non-alcoholic spirits.

“A lot of businesses don’t promote their mocktails, but I think it’s really important to, because there’s a lot of people out there who want to come out and still be able to drive, or they’re pregnant, or they have another reason for not wanting to drink," said bar manager Damon Cleverley.

The non-alcoholic offering extends to beer and wine too, but if you’re keen for a tipple, there’s a stacked wine list (with a solid offering from Hunter Valley producers) and lots of beer on tap and in the fridge.

All that cocktail-sipping is bound to make you peckish, and thankfully, the Hideout team have brought to the table a menu full of lighter bites as well as hearty dishes.

Think fresh natural oysters, arancini, and fried chicken tacos on the entrees section of the menu, and schnitties, amatriciana pasta, and pulled pork nachos on the heftier side of things.

Making the whole menu sound even more enticing is Hideout on the Harbour’s weekly specials. Monday to Thursday, the bar is offering $20 weeknight specials on pizzas, schnitzels, steaks, and burgers, plus $16 lunch specials from Monday to Friday. 

Come the weekend, the specials don’t stop – expect $15 cocktails from 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and deals like $12 cocktails, $6 vodkas, and $50 antipasto platters on Sundays.

With such a spacious setting, Hideout on the Harbour is an ideal spot for functions. Just enquire with the team about how you can host your next event at this harbourside locale.

To celebrate its launch, the bar is giving away three $200 food and drink vouchers so you can experience Hideout on the Harbour for yourself. Head to Hideout’s Instagram page to enter.

Don’t want to rely on luck? Your new favourite waterfront hideaway awaits.