Pontoon Bar

We were lured in by a sign that said meals under $ 10… Great!
Then there were like only three to choose from… Not so good.
The mini burgers looked delicious but then they ran out of those as we ordered… bummer.
So we decided to have the normal burger which also looked appetising… Yum!
But then we were told it would be a 45min wait… Really!
Then we got them in about 20−25mins… That’s better!
My burger was tasty… Good.
My partners burger was not cooked properly… Not so good.

It’s hard to find low key bar and rate it 5 stars. The setting seems more a cafeteria setting with big long tables to share and a few seats for intimate lounging but it sits on the waterfront of Darling Harbour. Salsa Thursday nights was reason I went here but could use some work in the crowd. I figure if the lights were dim a bit more and more advertising. Why five stars? The service was phenomenal. Roberto was friendly and so kind and so was the other bartender from Germany! Came back and they remember who I was and was engaging and service like this is why I would go back here again.

I really liked it in here, I liked the vibe and atmosphere on a Sunny Sunday afternoon with friends. It’s not too overly priced and do $ 10 mojitos after 5pm (really good ones too!). We also got some food there, I went for the chicken pesto salad– it was generally nice but they were a bit stingey with the pesto and dressing. But my friends meals were really nice so maybe I just ordered the wrong thing. Will definitely be popping back — perfect place to chill with friends

Our experience started with a bit rude service, they moved our table twice without apology, there was a long wait for food, half frozen fries, the steak sandwich was overcooked and missing onions… At least the people at the bar and the manager were nice. They helped us solve these problems later on.

The pirri pirri chicken pizza made me long for the bland pizzas of Italy. The base was average, ordinary topping.
Garlic bread pizza was ok. Vege burger was a below average burger. Expensive drinks offset the ok priced mains.

Sunday lunch on a budget at a nice place, go to the Pontoon Bar. Overlooking Cockle Bay and all the beautiful sailing boats and A list cruisers, is a site. Oh to have the money! At least I had the next best thing a seat in a quite comfortable bar eating a tasty burger for under $ 10.
Bar service is quick and efficient. There are several meals that are less than $ 10. Even the cheap eats do not lack in quality. The table service was excellent. The waiter was very quiet, friendly and efficient in his manner.
This is my second time here and although i believe it is a different scene of a night I would definitely recommend this place for a lunchtime gathering.

An ok place in Darling Harbour.
+ Location and venue are good
+ Good music & quality DJs
+ Ok prices considering the touristy location
— Food was mediocre (had salad)
— Loud fairly early which makes it hard to talk so focus on dancing
Lot of unused potential here given the location

Three of us visited this place on Friday. My Mojito was well done ! The bartenders didn’t seem to be in a good mood and had a smug look on their face. I always find friendly folks and hence this was a first ! My mates ordered for a beer. There wasn’t room to sit as they were prepping for an event. My avid drinker friends say that one shouldn’t really aim to devour food in a bar or pub. But heck I am not one of them! We ordered Potato wedges and a burger. While the quantity was good, the taste was just OK ! Our first round of order (3 Beers, a Mojito and Potato wedges cost 45 AUD) I wouldn’t go here unless there is some kick ass party happening and yes, I will have just a drink.

Great location. Crowded. Hideous (and weird) red lighting. Expensive, boring beers. Feels like you’re in Queensland.
If you like this list you should probably check out Pontoon.
If you don’t like this list just go anywhere else. Anywhere. Seriously.
(I think perhaps I’m spoiled by the people and taste of the Inner West. This really just isn’t my scene.)

More stars go to the view /​location in Darling Harbour.
Had the $ 10 Burger w/​chips on Tuesdays. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t bad either. Nice that they have all the condiments available to you a la carte, instead of throwing everything in it for a surprise.
Would have loved to come here another time, or during the day to just drop by for a beer.

I’m too old for this spot. Seriously, it is for the under-​25s to get revved up for a night along the strip.
The sounds are good, the position good, the staff all from somewhere else and pretty green, and the cocktail and wine list regulation, just. Although running out of mint and not being able to make Mojitos from like 7.30pm is a bit naff.
The food going out looked good pub grub, steak sangers and fish and chips, pizzas and burgers.
Go you young thangs!

FLASHBACK. Fragments of memory explode in my head. I’m 21. My brother is working the bar. There are girls everywhere. Boys in boat shoes and linen slacks and those tan Colorado or Timberland boots that we thought were so rad back when we didn’t know anything about anything. And big nights. HUGE nights, where we had retail jobs and didn’t care about rolling up late the next day. Ahhh, Pontoon. Such memories.
Flash forward half a decade. I’m back. It’s a Sunday afternoon. I’m stooped by age and responsibility. My face is weathered with the lines of adulthood and a loss of innocence. The spring sun is shining. And I’m back at Pontoon. There’s a guy playing a guitar. People are drinking white wine. The water is bluer than forget-​me-​nots. Darling Harbour looks immaculate. It’s sedate and really quite lovely. I reminisce happily. And order a bourbon and coke, just for old times’ sake. Welcome back.

There are two different Pontoons — Pontoon by day and Pontoon by night.
Some of the other reviews let you know all about the crazy night life, so I’;; fill you in on my daylight/​midnight/​midweek experience.
I headed to Pontoon on a warm spring Wednesday afternoon. It was maybe 40% full with people sitting outside enjoying their lunches, whilst boats sailed by…
Unlike the night crowd, the day patrons were mainly older men and women — some business people and tourists — very chilled and aesthetically gorgeous place to eat…
Unfortunately the good review ends here because whilst it may be beautiful its food is fairly bland and the wait staff match…
I had the veggie salad sandwhich ($ 10) and chips ($ 3)… it was so boring and tasteless and that i had to drown it in salt just to remind my taste buds that there was meant to be flavour…
I guess Pontoon wants you to focus more on the bar and less on the food…

Pontoon Bar has great presentation. The outside is beautiful, as is the inside. It’s the kind of place that just invites you to go right in. Best of all, no entry fee!
The food and drinks can get a little pricey, but if you’re all about the ambience of a place, it’s probably worth it.
It also boasts great views of the harbour while you sit down and have a few drinks. The ambience is quite mellow and relaxed for most of the night, with the music being unintrusive and up-​to-​date.
Later in the night, when the clubbers start arriving, the music gets a little louder and becomes more fast-​paced, and the atmosphere changes from a nice place to sit and relax, to a more clubby, dancy vibe.
Depending on your taste in music (they play a lot of RnB), you might want to stay there, or move on to a more suitable venue.

Pontoon kicks off on your typical Friday and Saturday nights out with events such as the Perfect party event (Fridays nights from 9pm) that draws in heaps of people from your Facebook list. If you’re unfamiliar with Pontoon, it typically draws in a mostly Asian denominated crowd. Rnb, hip hop and old school music is prolific at this site, and the DJ plays some of my fond favourites — the kind that has lyrics you know all the words to like Usher and TLC.
Like most decent clubs, the place is full enough you don’t feel like you’re filling in awkward space, but not so dense that you bump shoulders just to get to the bathroom. However, the opposite happens from 11pm onwards and you’ll be dying to get out of the super humidified air. Be wary of swinging booty’s that are barely covered, and the type of guys that will go out of their way to get a glimpse. Cover charge is non-​existent, but it’s best to head in before the bouncers start getting petty on the girls to guys ratio.

Pontoon Bar is certainly in a different class by itself. It offers a scenic view of Darling Harbour that aptly matches its plush and effortless interiors. It’s easy to just chill out here and forget everything. The cocktails are superbly made, so be sure to check them out. Their menu is casual dining but don’t worry since there is nothing casual about the quality. Their burgers are popular so definitely check them out as well. This is one hang out place that doubles as a great bar while still retaining an inherent charm to draw customers who just want a laid-​back place to chillax.