Exsqueeze me? A baking powder? Ben Blair, Reece Griffiths and Lee Potter Cavanagh definitely aren’t opening a Wayne’s World-themed bar this week. Sure, Whisky Jerx, their pop-up in the basement of the Unicorn Hotel in Sydney’s Paddington, seems curiously reminiscent of the basement from which Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar filmed their cable-access show Wayne’s World in the 1992 hit film of the same name. And yes, there’s plenty in the way of rock classics on the playlist (and not a little “Bohemian Rhapsody“) along with live music. And yes, there seems to be the odd Wayne’s World reference on the drinks list (the ineffably elegant-sounding Monkeys Might Fly Outta My Butt, for instance, combines whisky, rockmelon juice, lemon and falernum). But it’s definitely not a Wayne’s World-themed bar. Not as far as intellectual property rights are concerned, anyway.
In what might be considered a nod to the fun Mike Myers had in the movie with sponsored product placement, the pop-up is the product of a national competition staged by Monkey Shoulder whisky (“Contract or no, I will not bow to any sponsor,” says Wayne/Myers, flourishing a Pizza Hut box), but the bar also sells house-made sodas (with or without booze added), five wines, five beers and five other spirits. Nighthawk Diner provides the food (“with jelly doughnuts of course”, adds Potter Cavanagh).
Whisky Jerx opens February 25, and it’ll be home to babelicious good times. Alice Cooper and Tia Carrere may or may not put in cameo appearances, but it opens from four till midnight Wednesday to Sunday regardless. Party on, Wayne. Party on, Garth.
Whisky Jerx at the Unicorn Hotel (until 19 April), 106 Oxford St, Paddington, NSW
