Philter co-founder Stef Constantoulas can’t play any sport anymore. “I’m over it,” he tells Broadsheet. “Every time I go onto the field at Henson Park during a [Newtown] Jets game, I pull a hamstring. So my wife has given me direction not to do these things.”

But she gave the sports den the green light, and it opens on Saturday August 3. “Now I can relive my glory days at the sports bar,” Constantoulas laughs.

Set around a gold-mirrored bar, with exposed bricks and blond wood, Philter’s new space is also a paean to Australia’s “glory days” of sport. Look out for a bat signed by cricketing legend Don Bradman, signed photos from 1980s tennis great Pat Cash (who started the champion’s climb, the tradition of climbing into the stands after winning Wimbledon) and a knitted jersey signed by the Sydney Swans 2005 premiership team.

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“We spent a lot of time getting old-school sports memorabilia,” Constantoulas says. “It was a lot of fun – like a schoolboy fantasy.”

Along with acclaimed designer Michael Delany (whose interiors work you can find at Vermuteria, The Hook, Piccolo and Ricos Tacos) Constantoulas decked out the new adjoining pool room – with classic shots of streakers. These days, streaking isn’t such a common sight at sports matches, thanks to heavy fines and the reluctance of television channels to air it. “The pool room used to be our office. I think it’s a much better use of the space. Just quietly, let’s face it, I wasn’t doing much work in there.”

There are two screens: one in the sports bar, showing the big match of the day, and the other in the pool room, broadcasting an alternative. Both rooms have an extreme level of insulation. “We’ve overengineered it, in terms of sound, so you can’t hear the planes – you can’t hear anything.” That’s right: just the sport.

Philter’s full food menu – including its beloved wings, burgs and pizzas – is available and, of course, the brand’s 12-strong lineup of brews too. But to celebrate the expansion, prawn tacos, hot dogs and steak sandwiches are joining the menu.

If you’re off the hops, the brewery recently launched Phresh, a range of cocktails on tap. The debut is a tropical punch that mixes blood oranges, mango and pineapple, while a citrus spritz is on the way. Current beer specials include the big, zesty IPA Eclipse Haze and the light, extremely quaffable American XPA.

As well as allowing Constantoulas to relive his glory days, the sports bar is an ode to Philter’s long-standing connection with local sporting teams. The team sponsors both the Newtown Jets and the Newtown Breakaways. But they also felt the inner west brewery scene was missing a big screen or two.

“Ever since we started, we’ve tried to do something different. Our bar downstairs is a knock-off of the old-school pub vibe. Marrickville Springs is a Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar that shouldn’t exist in a brewery. Going to a pub and watching a game with friends and family is a great Australian pastime. For us, it just makes sense. It’s a perfect fit.”

The team’s readying to open the doors on Saturday August 5. Drinks up.

Philter Sports Bar and Pool Room
92–98 Sydenham Rd, Marrickville

Hours:
Thur 5pm–9pm
Fri & Sat midday–11pm
Sun midday–6pm

philterbrewing.com
@philterbrewing