Sneaky Possum creeps into Chippendale

It's a community affair down at Chippo's new neighbourhood bar-meets-cafe, one which owner Phil Anderson has envisaged for the area for a while. Even though Chippendale has been on the up for some time, Anderson's hoping to slot into the area by engaging closely with local artists, brewers and charities.

The colourful corner spot is certainly alluring from the outside thanks to eye-catching murals from Fintan McGee and Scott Marsh (expect to see a large ode to the Sydney bin chicken aka the ibis cropping up on your Instagram soon). Inside, they make the most of the unassumingly large block. The bright bar front extends out to a pinball room, followed by a back dining room and a function space upstairs.

"We're going to be doing a lot of local art shows." Anderson explains. "We'll also be doing a monthly karma keg with local charities."

While Anderson insists they haven't set out to create a themed bar, all of the endearing Australiana embellishments can't be missed: flowering gums and ringtail possums adorn the walls, the bar is made of salvaged Australian timber and they've sourced paper bark from trees down in Pyrmont. Naturally, there's a heavy representation of Inner West brewers and NSW wineries on offer.

This continues into the kitchen, where head chef Briony Bradford's whipping up kingfish ceviche with avo mousse and native finger limes and kangaroo tartare with a pepperberry dressing. She's a talent worth keeping your eye on too, having worked previously as the senior chef at Bentley and the Bridge Room.

86 Abercrombie St, Chippendale, www.sneakypossum.com.