If there's two things Penrith needed more of, it w...

If there's two things Penrith needed more of, it was good coffee and a cocktail bar that serves legitimate cocktails. Amazingly, someone decided it was a good idea to combine both and they hit the nail on the head in every aspect.

During the week, Mr Watkins is your neighbourhood coffee shop that serves up some really nice and unique dishes with some of the old favourites. As skeptical as I was for something called a "Bread Pie" and I couldn't have been happier with my choice. The coffee was spot on, which is surprisingly a difficult thing to find these days. Not to sound snobbish (ok, well a little) but there's a difference between a cappuccino and a flat white and these guys know it. Overall a fantastic breakfast option if you can get there.

Friday to Sunday night roll around and they open up the bar out the back and this is where the magic happens. Per the theme, the menus are converted novels (don't worry, it's as easy to read as plain paper) with a great selection of cocktails and spirits. These are the real deal, not the vodka spiked cordial you'd get from most other bars. We've ordered several of the cocktails and each one has been made so well, I've even enjoyed ones with bases I usually don't go for. Careful though, they really don't dilute the drinks and they go down pretty easy.
Cocktails not your thing? No worries, there's a beers on tap and a good choice of wine available by the glass or bottle (to share, of course).

The staff are really easy going, day and night, and make a point of ensuring you're being looked after. Whenever they get a moment, they're always happy to chat and never condescending if you don't know what you're looking at.

With a great atmosphere and decor that has to be seen to be appreciated (it's pretty great), you'll be hard-pressed to find a reason not to drop by and spend a morning or evening here. My hat is off to the owners for taking an unknown shopfront to a go-to bar in the span of a few months. Very well deserved and I thoroughly recommend the place to just about anyone.