The Soda Factory

I love this little place, great music and atmosphere. The drinks are good and well priced. Bar staff are super lovely. It's a $15 entry fee and it's well worth it, there is a good mix of music. I always dance the night away. It's not far from Central Station about a 10min walk. The hotel next door is pretty well priced, clean and they have a cafe for breakfast. I have only been on a Saturday night, there is a mix of age groups I never feel like the oldest person lol 😝

The Soda Factory is a cute and fun secret bar. We unknowingly came during happy hour and were super pleased with the cheap cocktails and discounted food! Even at regular price, the food is super affordable (Sydney “bar food” wise). It bothers me that they advertise themselves as an “American diner” when they are clearly a bar that serves hotdogs and hamburgers (which aren’t even quintessential diner foods), but I’m American so I’m a bit touchy. All I want is a legit diner and this is NOT it. Anyways, they have lots of vegetarian options which is great. The atmosphere is really fun, especially once the live music starts. The cocktails were affordable and tasty. While it didn’t hit the diner mark, the fried pickles were perfection. I would return!

My partner and I were looking for somewhere fun to have a couple of drinks, snacks and a dance on Easter Saturday night. Until last night, Soda Factory has always been high in my list for this. There were two people on the door, a female manager/ hostess (who was extremely friendly, hospitable and later very apologetic) and a male security guard who was the opposite. She greeted us, and after using her “managerial discretion” to scan our attire (as i now see is stated in your dress code online) granted us entry with a warm smile to the venue. We were half way through the door when the security guard decided to pull us back out and give my partner a lecture on his outfit, stating that it didn’t suit the dress code. He was in dress shorts and a plain black singlet, but the security kept going on about “gym clothes” and insisting he needed a collared shirt to be allowed entry. We left gracefully rather than enter into an argument with the man, but my partner felt refused entry because of his appearance rather than his clothing. He was made to feel embarrassed and belittled, the hospitality we received took the wind out of our sails and we ended up just calling it a night. I understand the need for people to be dressed appropriately, but this collared shirt exclusivity is over the top and, quite frankly, exclusionary. You peg yourself as a fun and inclusive venue, however I see that this is not the first complaint of this nature, and your responses seem to condone this behaviour by your security personnel. Moreover, we were a walk-in and, as such were unaware of this dress code until we were being told off about it. Whilst I am pleased for you that you are busy enough to be able to turn away valuable business on these grounds, I am sad to say that I will not be returning. I am a Surry Hills neighbour and have always recommended your venue for a good time. No more.