If you are after a spot in Newcastle that does not do the big-room thing, MoneyPenny is worth knowing about. It sits right on the waterfront in the Honeysuckle precinct at 1 Honeysuckle Drive, and it bills itself as a contemporary small bar and retro-harbourside eatery. The first thing to understand is its size: it is the smallest venue in the precinct, and it only takes groups of twelve or fewer, with a bit of flexibility during off-peak times. If you are bringing a larger crowd, you will need to book at least seven days ahead for groups up to fifty.
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The vibe is what really sells the place. It leans into a garden-party feel by the harbour, with the sea breeze coming off the water and cosy, dimly lit booths inside. The seating is park-bench style, which is clearly chosen to make the most of the harbour views, and the low lighting keeps things quiet enough for a proper catch-up or an intimate date. It is the kind of place that rewards a slower pace, though it is worth noting that tables on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays run to a strict turn-around time.
Food-wise, the menu is built around sharing, with starters, small plates, burgers, pizzas, pastas and desserts. The starters are where a lot of the variety sits: olives at A$16, tomato bruschetta at A$18, garlic pizza strips, dips and bread, arancini balls, pork tacos and croquettes all at A$20, with sticky pork bites, chicken karaage, lemon and pepper squid and lasagne bites at A$25, and chicken souvlaki at A$25. There are also silly cheesesteaks at A$25, sweet potato and shoestring fries at A$12, curly fries at A$15, chicken wings at A$26 and grilled king prawns at A$25 for three or A$30 for four. For something more substantial, the cheeseburger and chicken burger are A$22, the chickpea burger A$21, and pizzas like the BBQ chicken and meat lover sit at A$25. Pastas range from the pesto chicken and arrabbiata at A$25 up to the chilli crab at A$35. There is a kids menu at A$12 a dish, and desserts like the mango delight and passion delight at A$12. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are covered across the board, and prices generally land between A$12 and A$35.
Two things make it an easy mid-week option. On Wednesdays and Thursdays there is a two-for-one deal on share plates, which is a genuine draw for a casual dinner. And it is genuinely dog-friendly, right down to custom-made orthopaedic dog beds and water bowls, so you do not have to leave a pet at home. It is also wheelchair accessible and has both indoor and outdoor seating, so it suits a fair range of plans.
Opening hours give you plenty of room to fit it in. It runs 12pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday and Sunday, and stays open until 11pm on Friday and Saturday. On the weekend, it opens early for breakfast from 7am to 11am on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which is a nice bonus for a harbourside morning. For bookings or a quick question, the number is +61 2 4925 2157 and the email is info@moneypenny.net.au.
