"A seismic shift," read one message. "As if a mini-universe is simply vanishing," mourned another. The emotional focal point of these messages? Our cherished Bar Sport. This esteemed Leichhardt café, a bastion of robust Italian coffee, camaraderie, and unwavering football devotion, now prepares for a new journey under new ownership.
Started in 1959 by Rafaello Raffaelli, Bar Sport has blossomed into a timeless beacon of shared recollections. Its walls, filled with a tapestry of football keepsakes, silently echo the roars of past World Cups and hold poignant reminders of dearly missed locals. For every individual who has crossed its threshold, Bar Sport has always been more than a café. It transformed into an extended living room, a stage for thrilling World Cup dramas, jubilant Champions League victories, and passionate debates echoing warmth and camaraderie.
Frank and Joe have been the life and soul of Bar Sport for 20 years. Meticulously running the cafe from 5:50 am, catering for endless early morning European football. Over the years, Bar Sport has served as a vibrant place, an arena for sparking conversations, cultivating friendships, and giving voice to charity.
Frank reads the newspapers
Dom hugs Joe following the news
In my prior role as a political advisor, I often found Bar Sport to be a barometer for public sentiment. Its regular patrons, representatives of Australia's rich multicultural tapestry, never shied away from sharing their earnest (and direct) insights.
Frank and Joe have now handed over the reins to an Australian-Cambodian couple, ready to weave their unique thread into the rich tapestry of Bar Sport's history. The departure of Frank and Joe has been a poignant transition for the regulars, a bittersweet goodbye. Yet, the alternative paints a gloomier picture - another closed storefront on Parramatta Road, another symbol of the creeping urban decay that the Italian Forum has sadly become. Thankfully, our beloved Bar Sport evades such a fate, opening a new chapter instead of closing its book.
Scores across the world, updated weekly
World Cup, 2023
The café's transition to Lin and Hong represents a fresh link in a chain that commenced with the swell of Italian migration in the aftermath of World War II. It exemplifies the vibrant diversity and resilience of Sydney.
As we anticipate the next chapter of Bar Sport, we salute the memories created, friendships forged, and the countless cups of Italian coffee shared in fellowship. Here's to Lin and Hong, the new guardians of this institution.