The new venue was launched by small bar pioneers Phil Jensen, co-owner of Small Bar in Crows Nest and Kirribilli and Steve Jones, who part owns The Hayberry in Crows Nest.

“Steve and I had been talking about doing something together for about two years now. We wanted to wait until our other venues had settled down a bit before launching into something new,” says Phil.

While the Longy is a popular landmark in the area, Shorties hopes to offer locals an alternative place to drink.

“There’s not really any other small bars in the area. There’s the pub and there’s a few restaurants, but there’s nothing really in between,” says Steve.

While the new venue has broad appeal, Steve and Phil have made a special effort to appeal to the women of the area, with the bar menu focusing on cocktails and wine.

“We’re definitely attracting that female audience. We’re getting quite a lot of mums groups coming in for a girl’s night out,” says Phil.

Cocktails are the biggest seller at Shorties, with house specialties such as the Get it Gin Ya ($18) a shaken concoction of gin, cucumber and elderflower and the rosewater-scented Guns ‘N’ Roses ($18) the most popular on the list.

The drinks menu also includes a selection of homegrown wines and three craft beers on tap — Sydney Brewery’s Paddo ale, Young Henrys natural lager and a Two Birds golden ale.

In terms of food, Shorties offers a tapas-style menu with a variety of sharing plates to choose from.

“You can come in for dinner, or for a small bite to eat before or after dinner,” says Steve.

Options include smaller snacks such as the triple cooked chips with curry salt and aioli ($8) and the lamb croquettes ($10) to more substantial share plates, such as the beautifully twirled beetroot and radish rose with smoked goats curd ($12) and the fresh and zingy kingfish ceviche with finger lime dressing and wasabi crème fraiche ($15).

Big groups can also order a whole roast chicken to share ($32), which comes with corn puree, salsa and popcorn.

Shorties is currently open for bites and beverages six nights a week.

And that’s about the long and the short of it.