Gure Txoko Basque Club, Sydney

Knock on the green wooden door and wait. It’ll slowly swing open with a creak, granting you entry into Gure Txoko Basque Club. Gure Txoko, which means “our corner” in Basque, began as a male-only social club in 1966. These days everyone is welcome to join their Sunday lunch, a three-course meal prepared by member volunteers that costs just $25. Bargain. And the grog is cheap too, with glasses of wine at $4, beer for $5 and bottles of wine starting at $15.


Basque Club dining room paraphernalia

There’s still a blokey feel to the place – its wood-panelled walls are covered in trophies, portraits and sports memorabilia. Lunch isn’t served until 2pm on Sundays but as long as you’ve made a booking*, you can arrive anytime from noon for drinks.


Locals dining at the Basque Club

Hang with the Basque locals – a mix of friends, families and wizened old timers – but do make sure you check out the pelota court at the back, a traditional handball game that uses curved baskets to hurl a rubber ball at breakneck speed.

Pelota court

Salmorejo chilled tomato soup

The menu changes from week to week but expect rustic home-style cooking served on mismatched vintage crockery. On our visit we start with salmorejo, a chilled tomato soup laced with garlic and paprika, garnished with shredded Serrano ham, chopped hard-boiled eggs and croutons.




Marmitako Basque fish stew

Main course is marmitako, a Basque fish stew that translates as “from the pot”. It’s a hearty serve of tuna, carrots and potatoes simmered into a rich seafood stock.


Baked cheesecake

Dessert is a massive wedge of baked cheesecake.


Behind the scenes in the kitchen

Everything comes out of a tiny kitchen, manned not by the nonnas you’d expect, but a brigade of young and chirpy volunteers. There might be a gap between courses but no-one’s in a hurry. Sit back, relax, and Basque in the last lazy hours of your weekend.

*Sunday lunch seats must be pre-booked by 5pm of the Friday beforehand


Estrella Damm lager beer brewed in Barcelona $5


Basque Club entry instructions






Gure Txoko Basque Club
344 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Tel: +61 (02) 9331 5612

Opening hours:
Sundays 12.00pm - 6pm
Special events may finish later
Lunch always served at 2pm

This article first appeared in Time Out Sydney. Read this article online or read more of my Time Out Sydney reviews.