Preview :: Miss Peaches

June 6th 2013

FBi Radio

If you know what’s good for your soul, then head on down to ‘Miss Peaches’.

As you approach along Missendon Rd you’re advised to prepare yourself for a night of toe tapping, swing dancing, fried chicken eating, and rustic cocktail drinking, all the while listening to the sweet sounds of soul spinning on the stereo.

Opening in Newtown this week, Miss Peaches is bringing the heart of Southern US culture down under. A swamp shack in the heart of the Newtown bar renaissance, Miss Peaches evokes “that kind of grey worn look that I think is a bit of Southern authenticity along with plenty of colour with flowers and coloured lights”. Constructed from scavenged materials from around Sydney, this is the South brought home to you…

FBi’s Gemma Piali spoke to the man behind the idea Richie Haines.

Soul Food in Newtown.

Inspired by a trip to New Orleans, Richie Haines conceived of ‘Miss Peaches’ to harness the soul and atmosphere that endures in America’s South.

“What I really loved about the south is that really colourful and hospitable culture.”

While there is no ‘Miss Peaches’ herself, Richie has a whole crew ready to welcome you. Hospitality is big down south and that’s the main driver at this establishment.

Oh, except for the soul food…

Crawfish Pie and Root Beer Floats.

Traditional dishes line themselves up for you on the menu. Even a passing familiarity with Cajun cuisine will tell you it’s fried, fried and then a little more fried – but Richie assures us there’s a good balance just in case. Richie lists Crawfish Pie, Oyster’s Bayou Teche, Deep-fried Turkey Drumstick as his picks of the menu. Gumbo and Jambalaya are staples, and finally we have the opportunity to figure out what Grits actually are!

Bar manager Jimmy Snelgrove has put together a drinks menu that’s authentic but doesn’t take itself too seriously. The back bar features whiskeys, moonshine & corn whiskeys as well as root beers made in house.

The Rum Raison Root Beer Float is a must for all first time visitors. Combining rum with Miss Peaches very own ginger beer and floated with a homemade ice cream of spiced rum and molasses.

Vintage Vinyl and New Orleans Soul

Richie’s conceived a pretty strict music policy to fit Miss Peaches southern roots but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking diversity. Spanning everything from gospel hymns through dirty blues tracks and right into early soul and New Orleans soul.

The stage in the corner is purpose-built to feature live bands and Richie is working hard to lock in a house band to headline Thursday nights. He’s not a dancer himself but Richie wants to see plenty of swinging and stompin’ as the lights get low and the volume goes up.