The cocktails at Pony Up are a good shout. Photo: Rabble Group.
The closure of Italian restaurant Bada Bing left a hole in the city’s nightlife. Occupying the corner of the Sydney Building, the short-lived venue closed in 2025. But there’s life in the old girl yet, and the doors are open once more. But this is very different.
Pony Up is the big sister to underground bar and entertainment venue Fun Time Pony. The Rabble Group runs both (and is also behind Assembly in Braddon and Burgermaker in Hume). Pony Up is designed to be a place to fuel up before a night out, grab a bite between bars, or even just hang out for the whole evening.
Rabble Group co-owner Wes Heincke told Region that they wanted to build on the success of Fun Time Pony.
“We’ve really hit a groove down there. Fun Time is going really well, and we thought we’d use this space and give it a second arm,” he said.
“It’s open earlier so you can come and eat, and then go downstairs to party. To be honest, it’s probably more ‘us’ than the restaurant scene. You live and you learn!”
The burgers are legit. Photo: Rabble Group.
The skeleton of Bada Bing remains, but the vibe is totally different. It’s grungier and as Wes put it: “It’s a bit more rock and roll.”
White curtains on the windows have been replaced with black venetian blinds. Graffiti, posters and photos plaster the walls, and restaurant seating has become high-top tables. Up the central stairs, the bar glows with demonic red energy as staff shake cocktails and pour pints.
When I visited on opening night, the private dining room – still adorned with a Da Vinci-esque ceiling – was being used for flash tattoos (don’t tell Nonna).
Pony Piss Lager is (despite the name) thoroughly quaffable. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
The Rabble Group have proved their burger chops out at Burgermaker, but now you don’t have to drive all the way to Hume to enjoy their smashed patties. The Classic Smashburger is a classic for a reason: juicy, tasty, and totally shove-in-your-gob-able. And the best way to wash it down? A cheeky schooner of Pony Piss. Don’t let the name put you off: this is a thoroughly smooth lager brewed exclusively for the venue. And the best part? They’re selling schooners for $5.
Don’t sleep on the snacks: the deep-fried pickles were, frankly, life-changing. Crisp, sharp, and so good with the ranch dip.
And the cocktails are good too. I thoroughly enjoyed the Chaplin V2 – made with sloe gin, apricot brandy and elderflower – and the bartender tells me their favourite is the Arachnophobe, topped with vanilla foam.
You can order food from the Pony Up kitchen downstairs to Fun Time Pony when there are sit-down events during the week (like comedy or burlesque shows), but not on Saturday nights, when the place has more of a nightclub vibe.
Pony Up’s interior is much grungier than Bada Bing. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Wes told Region that he reckons the city’s lull has bottomed out, and things are on the up and up again. It’s a light at the end of the tunnel for businesses who have been waiting for light rail construction to ease up, and for diners to return to the centre of town.
Pony Up is located at 122 Alinga Street, Civic, in the Sydney Building. They are open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 4 pm until late. Follow Pony Up on Instagram.
Original Article published by Lucy Ridge on Region Canberra.
