i've always been an eastern sydney girl; despite attempting to join the inner west via a 2 year stint in tempe, the eastern suburbs has always had my heart. i grew up in bondi and as a teenager would get the bus home from school down oxford st; more often than not jumping off to go visit some of the stores on my way home. estate of mind, the corner shop, alannah hill, grandma takes a trip... i would go in with my school bag on and try to chat to the shopgirls. i was probably very annoying but also pretty cute and i dreamed of one day having my own space on the strip. it was my fashion fantasy place and when i got my first job at 15 at a pretty daggy fashion boutique on oxford st i basically already felt like i had made it.
nowadays you can find the niamh galea store in darlinghurst just off oxford st on south dowling and i even call the suburb home. with surplus returning to darlinghurst this weekend it felt fitting to spend a moment celebrating this perfect suburb.
joy by loui may has recently been reinstated in darlinghurst and pays tribute to the complex and significant role of sex workers in the shaping of sydney's social, economic and legal history, with nsw being the first place in the world to decriminalise sex work. the original statue went up in 1995 but the new version is well worth a visit.
niamh galea's top spots in darlinghurst (in no particular order)
1. south dowling sandwiches
when i moved the store to south dowling st the most common reaction i got was; "jealous! south dowling sandwiches!" i would see people carrying these giant tin foil wrapped bundles past the shop and wonder what all the fuss was about. i can now confidently tell you that this sandwich is not only completely one of a kind, as fresh as they come and completely delicious but also great bang for your buck. all the niamh galea shop girls get the daniel and my hot tip is to add cabbage and eat it at the secret garden on rose terrace just down the road.
2. bills
there is nothing hot about this take but bills is a special place. late founder bill granger is a national hero who invented avocado on toast (deadly serious) and my absolute favourite: the ricotta hotcakes (which started the souffle pancake craze in japan). but the best thing about bills is the super slow and relaxed pace, the calm atmosphere and the sunshine. the darlinghurst restaurant is the original and absolutely the best; you can feel the magic in there and i enjoy it most alone with a good book.
3. courthouse hotel
i recently told a friend that the courthouse is a gorgeous representation of australia; and when he looked at me funny i revised - okay it's a beautiful representation of sydney. not only is the taylor square people watching unmatched but the courthouse gathers a perfect mix of old queens, trendy art kids, tradies, wine mums and everyone in between. it also has sydney's best happy hour which runs 5-7 every day with $6 beers and $16 pub meals. at 7pm don't leave your table; simply grab your beers from kinselas next door (same owners): the happy hour continues from 7-9.
4. pass-port
as most of you know this brand used to be called ramp tramp tramp stamp and while i am a retired ramp tramp i will always love skaters. pass-port is an australian skate brand and their darlo store and gallery is always a pleasure to visit. i just like soaking in the vibes there, chatting to whoever's working (occasionally a flirt: sue me!!) and often the gallery has some quality art worth seeing.
5. pam pam
pam pam has been in sydney a long long time and we have a bit of a pam-to-niamh-galea pipeline. i joke with marto the longtime store manager that we sometimes play chinese whispers via the customers. again it's a lovely store and an australian brand staffed by some of the coolest kids in town. they also carry some other brands that i am partial to and it's always nice to visit.
6. zoo emporium
it's hard to choose a favourite vintage shop in the area and swop is absolutely essential to visit but for me the selection at zoo is unmatched and so uniquely darlo!! i always find something dramatic and darling here and you leave feeling like priscilla queen of the desert.
7. tuki bakery
as the wife of an argentinian, i first discovered tuki as the only place in sydney that makes argentinian medialunas (a special version of croissants). after spending time in argentina last year i became addicted and was relieved when tuki opened their darlinghurst shop front. it's a bit hidden down an alley in the front of their home but well worth a visit; the medialunas are light and fluffy and up there with the best i had in argentina. best enjoyed with friends and bitter coffee or even better: mate!
for my complete guide of favourite things in sydney: niamh galea's guide to sydney
we love darlinghurst and we are so excited for surplus!!! to celebrate darlo, on saturday 17 october we're giving away free calendars (till we run out) and a pair of our famous knee high socks or pantyhose (your choice) with any purchase in the shop, open 11-6 at 325 south dowling street. come say hi.
ps. swim finally arrives in the shop monday; preorders ship from monday too <3 shop swim
