Big T's Saloon

Address: Undisclosed

Country comfort

There is only one word to describe this place - exclusive. The only way in is by invitation from the owners or one of the 6 VIP members, and while this bar may not be the closest distance for all you Sydneysiders, for me it is definitely worth the trip.

Located 384km from Sydney is a property owned by a true gentleman, Big T, and within it is his own private bar (as he doesn't have a liquor license I am unable to disclose the property's exact location).

Not only does the bar have its very own 8 seat jacuzzi, it also comes with tasty country style meals and a small selection of beverages mainly southern comfort, port and both domestic & international beers, but when the VIP members are in town, Champagne is always on the menu.

I find this place comforting and it doesn't take long before I realise I have forgotten what day it is. I like being surrounded by the local wildlife, able to see the constellations in the stars and the only decisions I need to make is what to eat and drink.

As my fellow VIP members and I lay in the jacuzzi under the star lit sky, having our champagne topped up by Big T himself, I lie there and think... I should come back here more often.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

Blu Bar on 36

Address: Level 36 Shangri-La hotel, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

Cocktails with a carat

I had to seek my friends forgiveness after I realised I forgot their birthday, I've been busy (I know it's not really an excuse, it's just poor form), so I decide to take them to Blu Bar on 36 at the Shangri-La hotel.

This cocktail lounge is located high above the city with floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning views of the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Darling Harbour.

Even though I'm not one for routine I've always ordered the same cocktail here, I love the name and taste of this fine creation, Little Roses Garden Party. It has Belvedere Citrus, pomegranate liqueur, cranberry, lemongrass, a dash of rose syrup and my very own rose petal floating on top.

There is actually a cocktail here worth $10,000 but instead of getting your own rose petal, this one comes with your very own one-carat diamond. I've always wondered who would order it and if anyone has accidently swallowed it by mistake (it would make for an interesting story though of a marriage proposal gone wrong).

There's a slight issue with this bar - it operates with snail pace service, and if you're as impatient as I am it can be very frustrating sitting there trying to catch the eye of one of the waiters. It takes ages to get served and even longer to receive your cocktails. Also, while Blu Bar may offer some of the best views of the harbour, the lounge area is dated which makes it lose some of its appeal.

Slow service and bad furnishings aside, I've always felt relaxed coming here... I love the marvellous view and the cocktails.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: http://www.36levelsabove.com.au/blubar/default-en.html

 

Velluto

Address: 50 Macleay Street, Potts Point

Champagne bar... need I say more

I was recently in the Cross and noticed a venue that I've never seen before and to my amazement it's a champagne bar, I nearly fainted with excitement, but also thought... how the hell did I not know about this place? So when a couple of us wanted to see a friend of ours, who we haven't seen for ages (they're very busy and important these days), I thought what better place to go then Velluto.

Velluto's is tucked away on the corner of Fitzroy Gardens and is one of the more unassuming bars in Sydney as its windows are covered by long, black velvet curtains and there's no large signs or outdoor tables. 

As the bar is small I call in advance to secure a spot, lucky I did as after we arrive the place quickly fills up, mainly with a mature fashionable crowd. We take our seats on the antique style lounges and chairs that are over looked by large gold plated mirrors. This place has a sexy, smoldering feel with its subdued lighting, smooth house sounds and dark plush furnishings, perfect for sophisticated drinking. 

I order a glass of champagne and to my disappointment they didn't have my selection (poor effort champagne bar!) so I choose another type instead. We later discover that the bar does happy hour from 5 - 7pm on certain beverages, which we take advantage of. 

We stay in the comfort of the bar for a few hours until they run out of the champagne we were drinking (it was probably for the best - I didn't really need another one) and we head out for a late dinner.

As I'm a huge champagne fan I will be back... apparently they also do Martini Monday's. Perfect.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://velluto.com.au/

The Foxhole

Address: 68A Erskine St, Sydney (entry via Kent St)

But where are the foxes?

A friend and I decide to catch-up for a mid week evening beverage and with The Foxhole being Sydney's latest small bar we head to the corner of Kent and Erksine St.

This place is underground (literally), we head to the unnoticeable entrance, down the dark stairwell into a room that feels like a wine cellar with exposed brick walls and tiny layout, it can only fit about 30 people.

We take our seats on one of the many empty tables, there is only four other people here, two people who I believe are on their first date, the lady looks underwhelmed and unimpressed (I would too)... gentleman take note, this place is not first date territory and would probably be better for the fourth date.

The barman comes and takes our order (I am a fan of table service) and we receive corn chips and salsa on the house. When my house sparkling arrives (there's only one on the menu) I take my first sip and somehow it tastes like beer, not being a beer drinker I don't enjoy it (however I do order another two which end up tasting better).

While The Foxhole is not a bad spot for an underground "no one knows about it experience", it just needs people, and when it's Summer in Sydney, Lotus Martini likes to be above ground... however I will come back in the hibernating season. 
 

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.thefoxhole.com.au

Beresford Hotel

Address: 354 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst

Champagne, gossip and presents... Christmas has arrived

A friend of mine organises an annual Chicks Christmas function, it's fabulous, champagne, gossip and presents, there's nothing more I need in life... well almost, and this years function is at The Bersford Hotel in Darlinghurst.

The facade of the hotel is deceiving as it actually houses a front bar, which is a great place to catch up with friends for a casual drink, a restaurant and a large outdoor courtyard ideal for lazy afternoons.

The place itself is cool and casual, it has a homely and sophisticated atmosphere with the hundreds of beautifully green potted plants both inside the bar and restaurant and outside in the courtyard.

As my friend and I are the first ones to arrive we perch ourselves at the bar while we wait for the others. There's' a cocktail called "Love Box'' on the menu that I really wanted to order, purely for its name, but I didn't like what was in it, so I choose "Easy Dayz" instead (vodka, apricot brandy, fresh pineapple juice and homemade coriander syrup). It's beautiful, which I inform the barman of, who has a charming smile (and black eye... maybe he's a little bit too charming).

As everyone arrives we take our seats at the restaurant where we spend the next few hours, gossiping, telling stories we shouldn't, and maybe having one too many cocktails / wine / champagne and handing out our gifts. Christmas has truly arrived.

I've decided that maybe I should organise my own Chicks Christmas, just so I can attend two.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.theberesford.com.au/

Darlo Bar

Address: 306 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst

A hidden treasure

There was a need to celebrate after my friend received a promotion, so we make our way down to Darlinghurst to Darlo Bar.

This place comes with high credentials; it's my friend’s favourite bar in Sydney and they've been to a few so I know I'm in good hands. They used to live in the area and it's mainly locals that know about this place, so when we arrive all I can think is "where the hell have they taken me".

We head straight up the stairs past the kitsch 70's furniture, pool table and Pac Man machines (which I must admit I'm an absolute champion at, but didn't get a chance to show off my skills) and while downstairs isn't my scene, upstairs is, as it has a garden party atmosphere with large cocktail umbrellas on the walls, ferns, and white iron furniture, which I am certain they took from my grandfathers place.

We order a Darlo jug, (lychee, mint, strawberries, lime, chambord, vodka, rum and soda) and it's just what I'm after. While there's no food available a number of the local eateries deliver, I head to the downstairs bar to make our order and only moments later it comes delivered to our table - Fabulous!

I'm known for enjoying a bit of people watching and tonight is no exception. I’m certain a break-up is happening in the corner... I don't think it's going well.

I had a fun night and learnt a lot, things about Prince, George Hamilton & the Funkadelics and my friend... Interesting night indeed.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.darlobar.com.au

Honeysuckle Hotel

Address: Lee Wharf, Honeysuckle Drive, Newcastle Foreshore

Where French Martinis are not an option

I decide to escape from Sydney for the weekend and head to Newcastle to visit my sisters. As it isn't bikini weather we head out to lunch and make our way to the Newcastle foreshore and go to Honeysuckle Hotel.

I lived in Newcastle for a few years a long time ago and back then the foreshore was a strip of abandoned wharfs and buildings, basically an area where you wouldn't normally go. However over the last few years the area has been redeveloped into a waterfront playground with cafes, restaurants, bars, stunning apartments and a business park. The Honeysuckle Hotel is the latest addition to this precedent and is located in one of the converted wharfs.

We decide to sit outside where we can look out onto the water and the working port. My sisters and I head to the bar. I take a quick look at their cocktail menu, nothing takes my fancy so I ask the waiter "can you make French Martinis?" he responds "I can, if you tell me how to do it".... What?  Make them? I don't know, I just order them... I stick to a classic cosmopolitan instead.

The hotel has a homely, relaxed and friendly atmosphere, making it perfect for lunch with the family. There's a slight drama when someone has to leave, it involves tears, water spilling and food throwing, they are only 3 and 1.

My sisters and I sit by the water and finish our drinks, but we can't stay too long... apparently we need to go bikini shopping.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.honeysucklehotel.com.au

Opera Bar

Address: Lower concourse level, Sydney Opera House

It's not about the singing

After attending a black tie event, and knowing how glamorous we all looked, a number of us decided that we should continue on the celebration and make our way down to Opera Bar.
 
Ladies word of warning, as you walk to the bar you will notice large gaps between the concrete tiles. While I'm sure there's some engineering purpose to it, over the years they have caused me to ruin a number of my favourite shoes, but unlike some of my friends I can now gracefully float along in my stilettos without falling through - practice, in this case, does make perfect.

As we have arrived quite late we have missed the live music, which is usually jazz, funk or soul, but as we have our very own rap artist no one seems to mind.  We secure our location by the waters edge, it’s perfect, Opera bar has the most stunning views of any bar in the world as it is nestled between the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and Luna Park.

The drink of choice for the evening seems to be Champagne, I’m with excellent company, but as another glass is poured for me we are told that the bar is closing and we will need to leave, we're not ready to go home, we move onto our next location…

I enjoy coming to Opera Bar, I just never seem to get tired of sipping champagne by the water’s edge while looking out onto all the wonders of the beautiful Sydney skyline.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.operabar.com.au/

District Dining

Address: 17 Randle St, Surry Hills

I know this place is a restaurant but it does have a small bar (and I did drink two cocktails while I was there) so I thought... may as well write about it.

The Sydney connoisseur of all things fancy suggests to a selected few that we should head out to lunch, as they are my ticket to all things fabulous I instantly knew I couldn’t refuse.

We jump into a taxi to make a quick escape (it's a work day after all) and head to Surry Hills. We arrive at a bistro style restaurant which is located close to Central Station, it’s apparently the new venture of Warren Turnbull, the chef of the two-hatted restaurant Assiette (I'm not what some may call a "foodie" so I don't particularly care about this fact).

While there is a large variety of tapas style share plates on the menu (which I must say are all fantastic), there is only a small selection of seasonal cocktails. I order the first one on the menu, the Pacific Princess, purely because it has all things I love; vodka, mint, lime, honey, apple and pomegranate juice. I wait in anticipation, the waiter approaches and as he picks up a glass from the tray to place it on our table, it falls, and six drinks spill all over him. I felt bad, I really hoped his day got better.

When round two of our drinks arrive I'm served my cocktail in a ceramic glass, which I'm sure could double as the holy grail in Indiana Jones... it wasn't for me, it tasted like cough medicine.  I get Peach Bellini envy as the friend I'm sitting next to enjoys their selection, I place my cough medicine to the side and order that... I'm glad I did, it's excellent.

While I'm no restaurant critic, I have been to my fair share and I must admit I have already placed my next reservation at District Dining.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.districtdining.com.au

Doctor Pong

Address: 1a Burton St, Darlinghurst

Ping Pong + Cocktails + Hendrix + Heels = ?

When I first heard about Doctor Pong my initial thoughts were… ping pong, what the??? … well at least it was something different, so I grab a group of friends and head down after work to kick-off the weekend.

There’s a Doctor Pong in Berlin, but Sydney took the concept, made it larger and placed it in Darlinghurst. It has a lot of bare concrete and a ping pong table. I feel like I’m at an American house party – decks in the corner, beers served in solo cups. If only my American friends could have made it, they would have added to the atmosphere.

I order a pomegranate martini and later on white sangria, they both are a bit ordinary, I stick to bubbles for the evening.  The sound of Hendrix plays, then a trio of bongo drummers arrive, I'm taken back to a former life...

I quickly snap out of it when we get a turn at ping pong. I have always been a competitive person, even as a child my sisters and I would have competitions over everything, we realised it had gone too far when we were competing over who could eat a packet of chips the slowest and who could get ready for school the quickest (I won that one when I realised if I put my school uniform on before going to bed I would win – pure genius).

So when my companion and I head up to the ping pong table I picture us playing like we’re China’s Wang Hao and Zhang Yining, the winners of the 2009 World Championships… lets just say we're not.

So while my ping pong career has been short lived, my dreams of a world championship shattered and having endured quite ordinary cocktails, I must say I had an excellent evening. Doctor Pong is a great place to go with a group of your fun and fabulous friends to have a relaxed, enjoyable, and slightly competitive night out.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.doctorpong.com.au/

Kuleto’s cocktail bar

Address: 157 King Street, Newtown

Lychee Martini… yes please

I was given the perfect opportunity to promote my reviews (and myself) while recently attending a group dinner in Newtown, with a number of people who I hadn’t previously met. One lady, who is a local Newtonian, informs me that I should look at a few bars in the area. 

Not wanting to waste an opportunity, a small group of us walk up King St to Kuleto’s cocktail bar. Even though it’s quite late when we arrive the place is full, we quickly move up the stairs, past the huge lamp shades with massive long tassels and head straight to the bar.

As the ladies I'm with order their lychee sangria, the barman sighs and says “I’m sick of making these – I’ve been making them all night”. Buddy, here’s a tip for you – if you don’t like making cocktails, maybe you should reconsider working at a cocktail bar.

As I stand there hoping to get served by someone else, a martini is handed to the gentleman beside me, it looks good, I ask him what it is, it’s a lychee martini. I instantly close the cocktail menu (that I was actually only pretending to read anyway) as my decision has been made. It's an excellent choice.

If you’re looking for sophistication in a cocktail bar, with luxury lounges and scented candles then Kuleto’s is not for you. While the cocktails are good value, the atmosphere cheerful and sincere, it has a more shadowy after-hours appearance and in my opinion is in need of a little sprucing up.

But if you're strolling down King St after an evening out, I would still suggest taking a look inside, having a drink and embracing Kuleto’s.







Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




See for yourself: www.kuletos.com.au

Zeta

Address: level 4, 488 George street, Hilton Sydney  

Not just a letter in the Greek alphabet

Having been to Glass Brasserie in the Hilton Hotel for a work lunch, when I caught up with a friend the same night I thought… may as well keep it in the family, so I head to Zeta Bar on level 4.

Zeta, like a lot of elegant bars, provides a warm and friendly ambiance where you can unwind yourself on plush leather ottomans and tub chairs, centered around a stylish oversized fireplace, perch yourself along the wood bar in the middle of the room, or if you can get them, relax in one of the small private seating areas which look like mini harems. I really wanted to sit there as I picture myself being an ancient Greek goddess lying in robes, being fed grapes, while at the same time being fanned with large palm fronds…

However, not being interior decorators my friend and I aren’t here to admire the furnishings, as Zeta is known for its cutting-edge collection of smooth cocktails.

We order a pineapple and coriander martini, apparently it tastes like a sweet tart (my friend’s American and I have no idea what they are talking about), I really like it and after two I decide to let my adventurous side out for the night and try something that I’m certain I can’t get anywhere else… an Earl Grey Martini. The problem was the waitress didn’t hear the words “Earl Grey” and I get served a straight Martini, which to me was $19 of torture.

Overall, Zeta Bar is a gift to Sydney’s cocktail scene which will surprise anybody with its long list of beverages, their innovative cocktails and chic surrounds.

 


 Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.zetabar.com.au/

Sake Restaurant and Bar

Address: 12 Argyle Street, The Rocks

For gods sake…

Having enjoyed a birthday lunch here earlier in the year, I was looking forward to going back to enjoy the cocktails that Sake has to offer with Shinkansen, Astro Boy and Bang on! being my personal favourites.

I call ahead to ensure there is room for my group at the bar, we arrive and after trying to explain to the hostess “no we don’t have a booking we are just here for some cocktails” (a concept she could not quite process), the phone rings and the hostess holds up her palm, in front of my face to stop me from talking and says "excuse me can you just wait" as she proceeds to answer the phone… Excuse me… Are you serious… You. Are. Not. In. New York. Honey!

We are finally told we can sit at the tables near the bar, (more like the naughty corner) where we wait for someone to take our order, and then wait a little bit more. I’m not the most patient of people so I eventually give up and go place our order (lucky for me it was worth it as a cute barman serves me).

Loving everything Japanese I do enjoy Sake’s well designed Japanese layout which is both open and inviting. However, when you're looking forward to a dash of cinnamon in your cocktail you’re not expecting a dash of bi#@h as well.

Don't get me wrong, I'm an absolute fan of the food and cocktails that Sake has on offer, but the hostess needs to lose her power trip and remember… Darling, you're working at a cash register, no need for the attitude!

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.sakerestaurant.com.au/

Hugos Bar Pizza

Address: 33 Bayswater rd, Kings Cross

Hugos or Egos

I have actually been to Hugos once; I sat at the bar, and obviously got a better offer as I never actually had a drink. So I returned with a couple of friends to see what everyone had been talking about.

A few days before I go someone tells me “if posing is your thing then Hugos will suit you down to a tee” obviously they didn’t know me, I am no wall flower and I strut my stuff as I walk up the small flight of stairs into the bar. We are seated instantly and I am immediately impressed by the glowing back-lit marble bar, the arrangement of drinks behind it and the dimly lit surrounds, for a late Sunday night the place is full.

We order some cocktails and pizza and while they are good, the crowd is older, mostly men and indifferent leaving me feeling unimpressed. Hugos Bar Pizza is soon to expand from an 80 seater to a 120-seats for the summer, hopefully this may mean that the male to female ratio will even out a bit. Ladies and gentleman, with the endless amount of pizza places and new cocktail bars in Sydney you are probably better off going there.

As my evening comes to a close, I sit there with my champagne slightly disappointed; lean over and tell my friends… I’m glad I got a better offer the first time.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale







See for yourself: http://www.hugos.com.au/