You won't believe the incredible secret hiding inside this Aussie 'servo'

Daily Mail​

21-07-2025

At first glance, it looks like just another old-school servo at the top of Port Kembla's main drag in Wollongong, NSW.
But through the doors of this retro 1950s Mobil station is one of the Illawarra's best-kept secrets - The Servo Food Truck Bar, a thriving hub for food, music and art.
The venue has quickly become a cult favourite among locals for its food offerings, drag shows, live gigs, fire pits, and fully BYO-friendly atmosphere, as well as open-air movie screenings.
It has certainly been giving Sydney 's cool inner-west scene a run for its money -and the best part is that it's only 90 minutes from the city.
Forget sticky pub carpets and cover bands though, because The Servo, according to their social media, is a welcoming space for humans of all identities and ages.
Curated by local James Spink, the venue's ever-changing program features everything from punk rock, folk, queer cabaret, to experimental jazz and zine fairs, to spoken word poetry and candlelit sound baths.
'The Illawarra got way cooler the day the servo opened,' one fan commented on Instagram.
'Thank YOU for creating such a safe and wonderful space,' raved another.
'Love performing at this very special space,' said one of their regular soul musicians.
'Fuuuuuun!' another added in the comments.
Every weekend (Thursday through Sunday), the forecourt transforms into a pop-up foodie mecca with a rotating lineup of food trucks.
The list now includes a rotation of some of the areas favourite cuisine options: Papi's Birria Tacos, Roy's Restobar, 2 Smoking Barrels, Pho King Delicious and Messina, among others.
Customers can enjoy deep-fried lasagne toasties one weekend, and slow-cooked pork cordon bleu bao the next.
'It's the best! So good for community, so good for music, so good for the soul!!' one customer wrote on their Facebook page.
'You guys have built a little piece of retro special space ~ thanks for supporting local artists and I wish all the best & big things ahead,' said another.
There's also house beer on tap. PK (Port Kembla) Lager was crafted just down the road with Seeker Brewing and is 'best enjoyed chilled, outside, with music in your ears and charcoal in the air.'
Set against the backdrop of the Port Kembla steelworks, the space also features mural-covered walls, fairy lights, reclaimed timber furniture, a mural-splashed performance space and crackling fire drums.
Each week it opens its doors from 4pm untill late on Thursdays and Fridays, and from 2pm until late on Saturdays and Sundays.
From queer comedy night, local punk sets, craft markets, or just a space to grab a drink and some dumplings with mates, The Servo has community at the helm.