The Bootlegger Bar Katoomba — Restaurant in Sydney

I really wanted to love this place but was suchhhh a let down. Walked in at 5pm and was seated quickly which was great. Didn’t have a reservation so the server said we would need to leave the table by 630. I was like 90 min is more than enough time to eat. Took 15 min for someone to bring us waters and menus. Whilst ordering the server said “that’s a lot of food” ok and 😭 why u making me feel bad. ordered the impeachment for the bubble garnish. And there was no bubble 🥲

For starters I ordered the fried pickles - my legit fave. At first glanced they looked bomb. But after biting into one the batter was no joke like GLUE. Idk how to explain it. But it literally was sloppy inside and stretchy like mochi or glue. tasted sooo off. For main- I ordered the half rack of ribs. Took 45 min for it to come out and it was stone cold! Also had to wait for cutlery and serviettes as they weren’t given to us when we sat down. The ribs were sooo dry. Coleslaw was a banger, and the chips were great. The kids cheeseburger was horrendous - again, dry and stone cold. Thank god for the chips. We also ordered a side of corn bread which was shocking.

I’m from Syd- so I dunno if I had high expectations. But I’m shocked after reading all the good reviews- honestly this place just was not it. Service was rubbish, food was terrible -...

We booked for a group of 15 for dinner and had an amazing dining experience .

The decor is simple and stylish with wooden slat ceiling panels that evoke images of whiskey barrels and walls adorned with understated line art of crystal decanters and cigars.

The menu is full of American slow food classics from both the smoker and the grill. We started out meal with the jalapeño poppers and pork nuggets (crumbed and fried pork belly) which were magnificent. I shared a mixed meat platter with my wife the stars of which were the fried chicken and the brisket which had a perfect smoke ring and melted in my mouth. One of my friends let me try his steak which was perfectly cooked to the medium rare he requested and incredibly tender.

The highlight for me however was our 1 hour seat at the bar after our meal. Bootlegger stocks dozens of rare and top shelf ryes, bourbons, gins, rums etc. and Conner and Caitlin who looked after us certainly know their craft. Watching Caitlin painstakingly prepare one of the most sophisticated and complex old fashioneds I have ever tasted was only equaled by Connors astonishingly more-ish amaretto sour. The staff and the owner Kelly were so accommodating, friendly and FUN!

What a welcome addition to the Blue Mountains food and beverage scene Bootlegger is!

Do...

The only reason I wanted to try this place out was because I had never had American-Style BBQ before and I don't want to buy a plane ticket to try it out.

Service is very friendly. You'll have someone checking up on you often to make sure you're taken care of, but it might feel foreign at first.

As for the food: Be careful when visiting in cold weather because the place itself will be quite cold, so your food will get cold fast.

1/2 kilo smoked chicken wings gets you 5 full wings with ranch, so take that as you will.

The corn bread is nice and moist, like a good cake. Can't go wrong.

Ribs are nice. Soft and tender with a nice sweet and savoury sauce. I wouldn't say it blew my mind, but I was happy with my choice.

Pulled pork and brisket was soft, but the meat itself was rather dry. I suppose that's why you have the BBQ sauce, but the sauce was a bit too tangy for my liking and just cooled down the meat even more. Personally, wouldn't recommend it. I can't speak for their steaks, but perhaps those would be better?

If money is of no object and you want something new to try, I would say you could give this place a try. But if you only have enough time to eat at one place, I would just recommend the "Station bar and...