Leadbelly

To Newtown music lovers, the opening of Leadbelly earlier this year is probably old news already.

Taking over the old Vanguard site, Leadbelly is a new venture by the team behind Tipple Bar & Bistro in Surry Hills, who wanted to bring a new home of live music to the people of the Newtown area.

Their aim seems clear - a focus on local music and free music. They've kept the stage, sound and basic set up of the previous venue, but it's evidently a new place with a different style and different ambitions.

On entering, the first obvious change is that the red velvet that so characterised the Vanguard is gone. In its place is a cooler, more familiar decor that is more in keeping with surrounding venues. It may have lost this distinguishing feature, but Leadbelly wants to stand out from the rest of King St for a different reason - its music offerings.

Already they've had a strong line-up of local artists taking to the stage every Thursday to Saturday, and we hear that word is getting out amongst our Sydney bands and the venue is lining up some good gigs for the next few months.

On the night Scoop visited, Lozz Benson (aka That Red Head) was up on stage smashing out some excellent old school rockabilly and blues with her band, and they'd clearly brought some fans. Up close the vibe was rather reminiscent of Newtown Social Club's bandroom, with the loud tunes, small space and low lighting. What's different about Leadbelly though is that there's also the option to step back and watch the gig from different areas of the venue.

With the steadily developing popularity, the team have exciting plans in store for 2017. There are a few ticketed gigs coming up over summer, interspersed among the regular free-entry nights, and it's likely the tunes will soon start to continue on into Sunday nights too. There's also talk of setting up a dinner-and-show option in the future, similar to the concept that drives The Basement.

Currently the menu is sensibly simple, comprising snacks, pizzas (around $22) and burgers (~$18).

They have a list of house cocktails (~$18), and their own Leadbelly Lager on tap. When Scoop visited all three taps were pouring New Zealand beers, though they aren't ignoring the local brews - of course there are Young Henry's tinnies too. They know what King St wants.

We recommend grabbing your choice of beverage and snack and taking yourself upstairs to the balcony level, where a small collection of tables overlook the stage from above. The view is fabulous, and it's generally not too crowded. Yet.

Leadbelly has big views to take on the existing music venues of Sydney as some real competition. We say they're on the right path to doing so, and strongly suggest you get in before everyone else does too.

Leadbelly is at 42 King St Newtown
The bar and kitchen are open from 4pm Tuesday to Saturday, with live music Thursday to Saturday.

Check their website or Facebook for upcoming shows and happy hours