The Bee’s Knees
With Nikki Vircoe, owner of The Hive Bar, Erskineville
Tucked into the heart of Erskineville, The Hive Bar has been buzzing with good vibes since 2009. It is the kind of spot that feels instantly familiar, where the tunes are always spinning, the food hits just right, and the locals treat it like a second lounge room. Owned by long-time Inner West local Nikki Vircoe, the bar has spent nearly 17 years shaping its own rhythm while staying true to its community roots.
Nikki first joined The Hive as a casual bartender before becoming its owner almost a decade ago. “I wanted to buy the bar because I love it,” she says, “and I still do.” That love shines through in every detail, from the vinyl DJs and seasonal menu to the independent drinks list that champions local breweries, distilleries and wineries.
Music has always been part of The Hive’s DNA. When the bar first opened, a record store down the road, Revolve Records, helped kick off a tradition of vinyl sets that continues today. “We’re the OG vinyl bar,” Nikki says. “A lot of the DJs playing now were the same ones spinning here in the early days.”
Step inside and you will find warm lighting, murals by local artists Thomas Jackson and Sharon Billinge, and a relaxed energy that makes you want to stay for one more. The Hive’s regulars are a mix of creatives, locals and musicians who all add to its easy charm.
The team keeps things fresh with new seasonal menus focused on local produce, including pasta and wine nights, bottomless brunches, and the weekly comedy club every Tuesday with $10 cheeseburgers and $8 Reckless Brewing beers. Happy Hour runs Tuesday to Friday with $8 wines & $15 spritzers, the perfect excuse to drop in early.
Community connection is at the heart of everything The Hive does. They regularly donate to local causes like the Women and Girls’ Emergency Centre and host fundraisers with the Queen Bee Collective.
“We support the community, and the community supports us, that’s what keeps the place alive.”
Seventeen years on, The Hive Bar remains one of Erskineville’s most loved meeting spots, a home for good music, great company and the kind of warmth you cannot fake.
The Hive Bar
93 Erskineville Rd, Erskineville NSW 2043
@thehivebar
thehivebar.com.au