Just this month, Darby Street welcomed its newest foodie venue and it’s a culmination of all things Newcastle – featuring relaxed beachside vibes, local produce, and events with a touch of nostalgia.

Brought to you by newly married couple, Mary and Ken, The Bogey Hole on Darby opened its doors on Wednesday 24th of January, with many visitors (and Darby Street regulars) wandering in for a feed and a cheeky bev.

Situated in the once glowing teal building that has housed Wil&Sons, The Hop Factory, and The Bistro, The Bogey Hole on Darby offers a relaxed beach bar setting along this popular inner-city street.

The duo, both with backgrounds in the hospitality industry, were married mid-last year, and in December, they had signed the dotted line, and their new venture was well underway.

“I’ve always wanted a bar and Ken wanted a café, so we’ve kind of met in the middle with this restaurant and bar offering. This has always been a massive dream for Ken, so to be open is really exciting,” Mary said.

The interiors have changed cosmetically with a fresh lick of paint, new floors, new furniture, and local artwork donning the walls – setting the scene for what The Bogey Hole on Darby will offer its diners.

“In Newcastle, there aren't actually that many beach bars. We wanted to bring the name in to be fitting to the location and then the concept just really fell into place.”

The massive 16-tap beer line currently features a small selection of traditional beers with plans to fill the others with nothing but local brews. The wine list also has a local feature, with a handful of Hunter Valley drops available.

Cocktail-wise you can expect the usual classics that we all know and love, alongside some creative signatures that give a nod to our city’s character; The Pasha Bulker, The 1989, and The Star Hotel Riot.

Moving into the food is where Ken, with his background as a Head Chef, and Mary, with a love for eating good food, really gets to shine. Focussing on a share-style offering, diners can choose from six different Bogey Hole platters – made to be shared between 2-3 people.

“My partner and I are both massive eaters, and we’re always looking for variety and quantity in food and these platters do that.

“We’ve got six options: The Land, The Sea, The ‘Light’ House, The Novocastrian, The Valley, and The Mary-Wether. Each has a bit of a story – for example, the Mary-Wether has been named after me and is very much more of a light afternoon cheeseboard vibe with the girls.”

Additionally, the menu also includes a selection of Bogey Bites, smaller snack-style dishes like Pork Belly Bites, Wings, Halloumi Fries, and Jalapeno Bites – to name a few.

The whole offering at The Bogey Hole on Darby is described by Mary as a Mediterranean/Australian fusion. Head on in on your next visit to Darby Street, and sample it for yourself.