Ruby Rabbit

7.5 Recommended

Drinks  7      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

This place has recently changed hands. It suffers from some old very poor reviews which were well and truly deserved. This place used to be terrible.

But, almost unbelievably with a change of owner it has actually become really very nice. I have no idea why the new owners kept the name, they should change it.

There is still a pretty little senseless person with a clipboard wondering about which is a problem, and all the staff seem to be under 20 and in need of some adult supervision, but when I went there for dinner in October I had a very nice meal.

The waitress on the floor and the barmen were really good, friendly and attentive. The food was inexpensive, very good value for money and also very tasty. I had tuna, tried the salmon and calamari. The meals were prepared to real restaurant standard and significantly better than some other places that charge about double for the same thing.

The menu was interesting and probably best described as modern Australian. The bill for two with drinks came to about $80. I don't write reviews on all the restaurants I go to, only the ones that deserve it and I was really impressed by this place (especially considering what it used to be like) so I thought I would recommend it.

Nov 11, 2011 

1.3 Not Recommended

Drinks  2      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

After going for hotdogs at Big Rig Diner, my friends and I decided to check out Ruby Rabbit (located above the Diner). Firstly, I'd like to say I thought the Big Rig Diner was great. Loved the food, the service and the music. Felt like you were in some authentic American diner.

I know I'm a bit late to the whole Ruby Rabbit thing (like 4 years behind) but my friends and I thought we'd check it and see what the fuss was all about. I'm pretty sure Ruby Rabbit is now a C grade night club but my do these guys still have an attitude. The door men were really talented at giving people the 'up and down' before letting them pass the rope and go up the stairs.

Once we had their 'seal of approval', we were allowed to go up the stairs where we were asked to pay $20 (which is standard for a cover charge, no surprise there). However, they failed to mention that all we were getting was access to a dingy little dark room, as there was a 'private party' upstairs in what I believe is the main bit of RR's.

Btw, we encountered another 'Door Man' as we were trying to get to the second floor. I managed to get in upstairs so I really wonder how 'private' the party was. Upstairs was significantly better than downstairs. At least upstairs there were nice lounges and a large cocktail bar and about triple the amount of people.

Unfortunately, my boyfriend tried following me upstairs and was dragged by the end of his shirt back down the stairs by the door bastard. Not to be biased, but my boyfriend was not badly dressed, reasonably attractive and anglo saxon (just in case you thought they were racially stereotyping -which nightclub bouncers also tend to do).

I really do like to give Bars/Nightclubs a chance. However, I did not like being asked to pay $20 to get into half a nightclub. The nightclub is small enough but to be asked to pay $20 to get into the crappiest 1/3 of the bar was insulting. Also, I know we live in a superficial society and need to expect people to judge you by your looks (that's life!) but I'm sure the Door Men at this club could be more subtle about it.

I really wouldn't recommend this club to anyone. However, I think this club is already going downhill so perhaps my review probably wouldn't affect it's eventual demise.

Aug 19, 2009 

5 Average

Drinks  7      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  3     

I really wanted to like Ruby Rabbit, really I did. I've been there a few times now, I even threw a private party there last year. However, the fact of the matter is that whilst it has stunning decor, the service is unacceptably slow and somewhat rude. I spent 3 years in London working as a professional cocktail bartender.

In my humble opinion, the bartenders just aren't up to scratch. Yes, the quality of their drinks are good, however, they are unable to multi-task and, therefore, their service is too slow. The bartenders totally forget to engage the customer when mixing drinks and fail to acknowledge waiting customers, which leads to unnecessary frustration. The drinks are also over priced.

The sad truth is that this is a stunning venue which has, unfortunately, fallen into the hands of people who have no idea how to do it justice. Shame. Unfortunately, I'm sure that if the owners are reading this review, like their arrogant bar staff, they will simply dismiss it rather than taking it as constructive feedback and an opportunity to improve.

Aug 16, 2009 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Not sure if the bar staff and bouncers have changed since the last comments but, after going to RR for a few times, the bouncers are really nice guys, the bar staff are very fun and look like they are always enjoying themselves, and yes, the drinks are slightly pricey, but hey, most places in Sydney have similar prices unless your at the local RSL.

Also, after my experiences, I can fully understand why the bar staff and security act the way they do. Most of the patrons end up so annoying and rude, pushing other patrons and spilling drinks everywhere, that, at least the bar staff need to keep a degree of control and firmness about them. The new RR is a really cool space. Its like dancing on the surface of the moon. Can't wait til they eventually finish downstairs.

Will definitely keep going back to check the progress and De Nom is amazing too. One of a kind that could never be replicated in Sydney.

Apr 19, 2009 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Drinks  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  8     

Went to a party here after fashion week. Really liked the ambience. Fantastic wine in great glasses. The big ones that don't collide with your nose and let you enjoy the wine. I was a bit distracted and lost a scarf and my phone. Someone handed in the scarf and my phone was kindly returned. The staff found someone else's phone and rang me to help. In a world where nobody cares this has to be a good place. Thanks guys.

Apr 30, 2008 

2.3 Not Recommended

Drinks  3      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  2     

Went last night to a mate's birthday party on the top floor last night. Very unique fit-out but that novelty only goes so far. The drinks are overpriced but I could possibly tolerate that if the service even rated as average.

Bar tenders have massive attitudes, although I will say the girl on drinks service was very good at her job. The bouncers are complete tossers and harassed people everytime they went out side for something. In the end the party ended early and moved to a nearby bar with a more lively atmosphere and better service.

Feb 24, 2008 

7.8 Recommended

Drinks  8      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  7     

Don't let the name fool you, the Ruby Rabbit is a wonderland full of surprises behind the guise of a inconspicuous red bunny hutch. So follow me down the rabbit hole as I take you on a tour of one of the hipper places to hang out at whenever you're in Sydney. There's a great range of live performances and creative installations that offer something to suit everyone all year round. The crowd always offers a great friendly vibe that just adds an extra dimension to the night. The ground floor is reminiscent of 1970's disco fever with cozy booths and kitsch George Jetson space chairs with a bar trimmed like a hawaiian luau which often feels like stumbling onto a set from the South Pacific. It's a great room to just settle in and grab your first drink to meet friends before heading upstairs to the main attraction.

The first floor is decked out like a Soho apartment complete with popart murals and bronze mosaic tiled wall. The ceiling is illuminated by 108 free suspended light globes, which make the room a great place to see the star line up of bands that perform here nightly. The top floor is like steeping back into a time when glamour was a state of being, the De Nom floor is an 18th century inspired French Salon, where every detail has been created to ensure you'll have a night to remember. And while places like this are fairly common in Europe and the East Coast, in Sydney where a bunch of milk crates and a beer coaster are often classified as a bar, this place is a welcome addition to Sydneys club land. So make a booking for De nom when you really want to escape to a time where excess was not a dirty word and Marie still had a head.

The Ruby is a club where you can find your groove no matter your mood, from Grungy Funk, to Boho, to Bourbon Fantasy. So join Alice in Wonderland at least for a few hours at the Ruby when your in Sydney, you'll be glad you followed that big red bunny down the hole :-

May 23, 2007 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Drinks  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

Gee some people whinge and moan and groan when they can't get into a place. Obviously, when a bar is small it's sometimes gonna take a little while to get in, also when a bunch of guys rock up together it's tough to get in anywhere in Sydney. I mean, do you like the bouncers anywhere??? I generally dislike all of them, unless you go to the same place every single week consistently. And even that is no guarentee they are gonna be friendly. But hey, they are not employed to be friendly, and I for one have been able to accept that in my life and move on, sounds like some other people should too. As far as the crowd being pretencious, I find Ruby has the least pretencious crowd of any club in Sydney! It's one of the only places that people don't look you up and down when you walk in! I can only suggest that all the negative remarks on this page are from some very backward rejects!? I can't think of anywhere in this whole town that you can have a better time!? The only let down for me is the lack of a verandah or outside area or view of some sort. If it had that, it would be the perfect club. Good music, great people, awesome place!

May 18, 2007 

3.5 Below Average

Drinks  1      Ambience  7      Service  5      Value  1     

There is only one reason RR still exists. These are tryhards and wannabes. Power to them if they like paying for overpriced drinks. We were on the top floor. We were served by a waitstaff. When the bill came back, we were charged an extra 10% on-top of the price of the cocktail (equivalent to the price of a main meal). What was the occasion? It wasn't a public holiday, nor was ther any mention of a surcharge. Maybe it was for the privilege of talking to the waitstaff simply by taking our order. Maybe the overpriced drink was because the cocktails were assembled by such a highly skilled bartender. So we put that theory to the test. We wanted to know what one of the listed ingredients on the menu of the cocktail was. Here's the funny thing. The bartender didn't know herself! Pretty funny isn't it? No? well I guess you had to be there. Then again, you probably wouldn't.

Apr 02, 2007 

6.5 Recommended

Drinks  6      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  5     

Hey take a torch - it's dark in here! Ladies loo has to be the darkest one in Australia! It smelt clean but forget about doing your make-up in here. The barman had to use a lighter to search for liquor. I requested and the musicians had no stage light on them at all!

Went along expecting a bunch of beautiful people but it's just the usual music crowd fashion - nothing special - guys in jeans and sneakers, gals in smart casual. Music-wise the sound was excellent and clear and it's a nice comfy size small venue. Was surprised by all the smoking though and also a warning about the decor...

Mar 18, 2007