I was just dismayed to open an email from Beer Snob and Coogee Cafe After Dark operator, Dan Hampton, saying the Sydney beer beacon will be ceasing to operate shortly.

Beer Snob Dan Hampton

Dan has been operating the night-time venue as the cafe equivalent of a contract brewery, sub-letting the venue at night from the day operator and running it as a beer bistro. The arrangement, which has been running for about nine months hasn’t quite worked out for both parties and so Dan will be shuttering his operation.

Needless to say, Dan is disappointed by the turn of events.

“It’s one of those things,” he said.

“We struggled to get the business started during the winter months and were just hitting our straps and set for a great summer sharing Australian craft beers.”

It’s not over though, we’ll be back in one form or another.”

The announcement is very disappointing in a city that, despite its size, supports very few quality and independent beer destinations. The feedback that has filtered back from Dan’s regular events has been very good and the impending closure represents a loss for the Sydney beer landscape.

Dan will continue to spread the good word about great beer through his Beer Snobs business.

His full announcement is below.

Announcement

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for making the last 9 months an amazing success. We have had an awesome time serving you and from the response, it seems you have had an equally good time. We thought “After Dark” was what Coogee needed, and I believe we proved it.

So it is with great sadness that I announce the imminent closing of the “After Dark” incarnation of Coogee Cafe. Unfortunately the current day/night share arrangement is no longer suitable to both parties, so things at Coogee Café will soon go back to the way they were, serving locals with delicious coffee, breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.

Very very sad I know, and a surprise to us too, but don’t panic; it’s not all over quite yet. We will still be trading as per normal each Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm for the next 2 months (exact final day of trade TBA).

And, as they say, “you can’t keep a good Beer Snob down!” Well I’ve never actually heard anyone say that… but it’s got some solid sediment sentiment. Along with our amazing Chef Timbo and my beautiful wife Emma, we plan to re-commence serving Coogee locals with our trademark deliciously simple share dishes, boutique wine and Aussie Craft Beer, but where and when has not been confirmed. So stay tuned on that one…

Until we pull down the shutters for the last time however, we expect to see each and every one of you, as often as you like! Don’t forget our $30 Midweek Specials and to ensure you get a table on any night or nights of your choice, make sure you call us on 9665 5779 to book. BYO (wine only) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday is also accepted.

While I’ve got you, we still have a few spots left for next Tuesdays ‘Grape Vs Grain’ Dinner hosted by me, Dan the Beer Snob, and Niall, the Wine Wanker. And the Hollick Wine Dinner on 20th September is also not full. Email me back for details or to book.

So, while this is a shock to us and I’m sure you, let’s make the most of the next 2 months… come along, eat, drink and be merry.

Yours in Beer and love… and love of Beer

Dan & Emma Hampton

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