Since I left you

Address: 338 Kent Street, Sydney

Ahhh honey…

I discovered Sydney’s latest hideaway bar. It has such a great name that when I come across it I instantly emailed one of friends and arranged to go out.

Since I Left You is currently in its 8th week of operation and is located in an old converted warehouse building. We arrive at a cobble-stoned carriageway and make our way down the narrow space, past the heaters and tables that line the wall, to the courtyard. While the space is about the size of a tennis court, it doesn’t offer any chairs or lounges to sit on. Not wanting to spend all night standing my friend and I head inside to the tiny bar. This narrow space is full with the usual after work suspects. It feels cosy and relaxing with a blend of old and new, a pressed metal ceiling and bar, along with art deco lighting and posters.

My friend and I take a seat on 2 ottomans right near a ‘loved up’ couple. The place is quite noisy and I secretly think “great, they won’t want to stay here for too long; surely they will want to go home soon”. They read my mind (or I was thinking out loud) as not long after we sit down they head off to enjoy the rest of their evening. Without delay my friend and I jump into their bench seats. The bar offers table service. Perfect. As I am too lazy and pre occupied to get up.

The cocktails on offer are more of your classics, but they do have a couple of signatures. I scan down the list and decide on XHOOCHX, purely because it refers to “a soft seduction of your tastebuds with elderflower, vanilla and kiwifruit”. It’s quite nice. There is a small problem though, the menu doesn’t actually tell you what spirits are in your cocktail which makes it a bit of a gamble (obviously you could always ask the bar staff).

The crowd clears by 7.30, just in time for my next selection. Honey Pot. A playful mix of vanilla, peach and honey, finished with pomegranate seeds. While definitely more of your girly variety it tastes wonderful. Actually, it's so good I think I could have a bath in it... might be a bit sticky though.

Another Honey Pot later, I jump in a taxi and call it a night.

Since I Left You is a great spot for an after work or post dinner beverage, and with the bar currently in negotiations to open up the floor above them, hopefully in time for summer, I will be back.


Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale   

 

See for yourself: www.sinceileftyou.com.au

Capital Grill

Address: The Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney (Entrance cnr Loftus Street & Reiby Place).

Do you really need to bring a laptop to a bar?

A celebration was in order; a friend got a new job. So I organised a few of us to get together to celebrate their success. We head to Capital Grill.

Capital Grill is located in an awaked space tucked away in The Gateway building in Circular Quay. With its towering glass walls and swish surrounds this bar and restaurant includes a ground floor dining area, a mezzanine and an alfresco courtyard offering an undercover island marble bar.

It’s smart and very corporate. There’s even a gentleman in the corner working on his laptop. I found that a bit odd. He was by himself, surely if you were that busy you would stay at the office. Well I would anyone. Maybe he hasn’t learnt a key lesson that I have…trying to work and drink at the same time doesn't give you the best results.

The group decides to buy a few bottles of wine from its apparently very good wine list, I wouldn't know, I really don't know how to pick wine and generally leave it to others.

We baste under the outdoor heaters, talk some rubbish and then call it a night. I should mention that the staff are very friendly and professional. I left my wallet at the bar, and those of you who know me, would not be surprised. I tend to miss place a lot of things quite often. My work pass, wallet, mobile and keys are the top of my list... I went back the next morning to pick it up, every item was still there.

Capital Grill is open early so you can come in for a mid-morning coffee, a corporate lunch or business meeting or grab some friends, tapas and wine by night.
 

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale 

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

Rockpool Bar & Grill

Address: 66 Hunter Street, Sydney

Simply stunning

There was a special occasion, my best friends birthday, and to celebrate I take them to Rockpool Bar and Grill. As I have only ever been to the restaurant, we decide we should arrive an hour before dinner to have a few pre-dinner beverages.

Located in one of the finest art deco buildings in Sydney, right above its sister restaurant Spice Temple, it is simply stunning. High ceilings, marble columns and a small cosy bar located to the side of the strikingly gorgeous dining room. I feel I’m in Manhattan in the 1950’s (I wish I had worn my vintage dress… oh well, next time).

We are seated at a table for two and I commence the night with my autumn cocktail (a dirty martini - for those of you who don't read my reviews religiously).

I can confidently say that the separate white and red wine menus are near the same size of some of my text books, neither of which I have read. I open the cocktail menu and see a list of “House Rules”, I’m intrigued by all 9 of them. My personal favourite:

“Gentlemen, don’t approach ladies; and if you are so lucky to have one approach you, endear her as you would your mother”.

Advice I wish certain gentleman I have previously known had taken.

An hour quickly passes by. We are informed our table on the dress circle is ready. I take myself, my French martini and my gorgeous friend to our table.

The verdict. An absolute must for any self-respecting socialite.






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.rockpool.com.au/sydney/bar-and-grill/

Orbit Lounge Bar

Address: Level 47, 264 George St, Sydney

Take me for a spin

After spending an excellent day at the races, where I discover that I am far better at picking a truly fabulous frock than I am at picking a fast horse, three of us decide that we should head out, as there is more fun to be had. I wanted to go somewhere that I hadn't been before so one of my friends suggests Orbit Lounge Bar. We call a cab and head into the city.

Orbit is located on the 47^th floor of Australian Square and is a rotating bar offering stunning views of Sydney. The revolving restaurant / bar concept has always seemed a bit of a gimmick to me but as I had never been there before the views and novelty won me over.

I order “The Vesper” as I love James Bond movies and it’s the drink he orders and names after his beautiful co-star in Casino Royal (I live in hope that one day James will name a drink after me). I take my first sip, and I’m quite surprised, it’s not as strong as I thought it would be.

I try two more cocktails. The first, a dirty vodka martini (which I have decided will be my drink for autumn) it’s not as nice as the one from the Victorian Room but still quite good. My final cocktail is an Espresso Martini. My friend was drinking them and it looked nice, and I’m pleased to say it lived up to my expectations…. nice one Orbit.

After 3 cocktails and 2 complete rotations my friends and I part ways and head home, but only after deciding we should go to the races again next weekend.






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale 

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

Steel Bar & Grill

Address: 2/60 Carrington Street, Sydney

A civilised evening; wine, dinner and Sex in the City

The other evening a friend and I had planned to check out a few new bars in the city, but as we both had been out the night before we decide that we should have a quieter (and more civilised) evening. So we head out for a few cheeky beverages and dinner.

We make our way to Steel Bar and Grill. Steel is positioned in a surprisingly quiet corner of Sydney’s CBD not far from Wynard station. When you arrive it becomes evident on why the choice of name. Large solid steel and glass doors, stainless steel mesh and tiles, polished concrete walls and sprayed concrete ceiling… I know what your thinking, this place sounds like rubbish (cold, no atmosphere) somehow though it proves to create quite the cozy and relaxed environment.

As we didn’t have a booking, and the place is quite full, we are seated on the bench where we can see into the kitchen. My friend suggests that we sit at the dessert end, I don’t mind… who doesn’t like looking at chocolate.

The menus are handed to us, and I instantly like the place even more as I love the picture of the lady from the 1960’s in her steel bikini (I do wonder what I would look like in that).

As apparently “a change is as a good as a holiday” (though, I’ve never actually believed that… obviously the person who first said those “words of wisdom” must have been on some boring holidays) we decided to leave cocktails and champagne behind and go for a bottle of wine, we finish it over a wonderful dinner.

The bathrooms also deserve a mention, they are all steel and all three basins have a television playing girl movies, (not sure if the men’s play men movies... I didn't check it out so can't confirm). But you need to be careful… I left my friend for too long as I was too busy watching Sex in the City.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.steelbarandgrill.com/ 

Cafe Sydney

Address: 5th Floor, Customs House, 31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay

5 plus 1

A number of months ago I was taken out for lunch at a fabulous restaurant for my birthday by some lovely ladies. It was decided after a few cocktails that we needed to do this more often, and hence the Ladies Lunch club was created. It's a group of 5 who each take a turn to pick a place on the last Friday of each month (only truly fabulous locations allowed) and this month we head to Cafe Sydney.

As a number of people have found out about this club, we now have others wanting to join (however we don’t offer membership). After some serious discussion we decide that we would allow one special invitation per lunch on the basis that the guest would have to buy the first round of cocktails or a bottle of champagne. We actually thought that no one would accept this offer… but they do.

So 6 of us head to Cafe Sydney.

"But Lotus Martini, this is not a bar, it's restaurant" I hear you say. Well, actually you can just come here for drinks.

We arrive and are seated on the terrace which offers spectacular views of the harbour. The consensus of the group is to have a cocktail for our first round of drinks and as I feel like being a bit risqué I order the “Office Fling”…it’s as naughty as it sounds (especially for lunch).

You can’t go wrong with any cocktails here and with names like Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Appreciate Me and Janie Hendrix the beverages are nothing like you have ever had before.

Lunch comes to a close and it is time to leave (shame I have to work to fund my lifestyle). As I sit in the comforts of Cafe Sydney with cocktail in hand, I think to myself…this Ladies Lunch Club is fabulous!

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.cafesydney.com

Quay Bar

Address: Ground Floor, Customs House Building, 31 Alfred St, Sydney

After work bubbles anyone?

There was a perfect opportunity to catch-up on my work / study / cleaning when my after work plans were cancelled the other night. However, as I was leaving the office to head home early for a change I think "well…I should have been out tonight anyway, so any catch-up on work / study / cleaning would’ve had to wait to the weekend”, so I spin around on my heels and head to my friends desk and say “interested in an after work bubbles?”. They are. Excellent!

We head to Quay bar which is close to our office and while the location is very convenient, a downside is that as you arrive you instantly run into a large number of colleagues, which is fine if you like talking about work, after work… but I don't. So my friend and I sneak past everyone and find our spot tucked away in a corner.

This bar is great on beautiful summer evenings as it has an expansive outdoor area, set on the forecourt of Customs House, a little terrace underneath Cafe Sydney and a cosy indoor area. Also in the summer months you can enjoy live jazz.

As we sit with our bubbles we spot another one of our friends who comes over to join us, they inform me that there is a universally good looking guy who works here (apparently he appeals to all). So I keep my eye out. I never see him (obviously he doesn't appeal to everyone… well me anyway).

As I love outdoor areas, I enjoy coming to Quay bar… just need to find a way to ensure the whole office doesn’t come as well.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: www.quaybar.com.au

ECQ Bar

Address: 61 Macquarie Street, Sydney

EC always a Queue

Two friends of mine are moving onwards and upwards in their careers; obviously we head out to celebrate. As we are going out for lunch they choose a venue near the office, and head down the lifts, across the road, up some stairs into ECQ bar.

ECQ is on the mezzanine level of the Quay Grand All Suites and has glass walls allowing the sun-drenched bar to open out onto the busy harbour and offers spectacular views of Circular Quay.

The bar has an eclectic mix of people, from elderly ladies reminiscing about the good ol’ days with their soda water, to work place celebrations. If you do come during the day make sure you bring your sunnies and your own atmosphere (I made sure I brought both!) as it has the curse of a hotel operated bar and lacks both ‘vibe’ and service.

A number of large corporates get discounts here, and as they cater for business lunches and groups the place quickly fills up at lunch time and for after work drinks.

Overall, don't rush for the food, service or atmosphere but come and enjoy the beautiful view with great company at reasonable prices.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.mirvachotels.com/quay-grand-suites-sydney/ecq-bar-circular-quay

Eden Bar & Restaurant

Address: MLC Centre, Martin Place, Sydney

In the Garden of Eden

It was my friends first week back at work after their holidays and to ease the pain of it all we head out for a few beverages on Friday night. I was running late and by the time I arrived at Eden Bar, located in Martin Place, they already had a cocktail. 

My friend informs me that while they were waiting they had seen a large number of people ordering lychee martini's, so we decide it would be our beverage of choice for the evening.

In January the bar offers 2 for 1 cocktails from 5-8pm (all other months it ends at 7) which means this place is very busy and filled mainly with the after work finance crowd. I head to the bar and quickly get served, but instead of waiting around at a busy bar (with people talking to me that I would rather didn't) I am given a number and told that they will bring our cocktails to our table after they're made, allowing me to go back and spend time with my friends... nice touch Eden.

As my other friend arrives it starts to rain and they're stranded under a shelter in martin place, not wanting them to miss out on the cocktails I head back to the bar and ask the barman if I can borrow an umbrella to go and collect my friend, he happily obliges and lends me his... what excellent service.

But as I come back and place our second order we are informed that they have run out of lychee martinis (What?... sorry Eden this calls for a martini rating downgrade). 

However, even though they did run out of our drink of choice, with its friendly service and fantastic tasting cocktails, Eden is still a great spot for your first few drinks after work before heading to your next destination.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.edenbarandrestaurant.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

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/

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/

Hemmesphere

Address: Level 4, 252 George St, Sydney

It all started here

I know that I should be only posting reviews on bars that I am yet to visit but this one deserves a special mention, as the cocktails from here are some of the best I have had and one is the theme to this page.

I took a friend out for their birthday, we both have a taste for Japanese food and fine cocktails and Hemmesphere was the perfect location as it is on the same floor as Sushi e (a fabulous sushi restaurant).

The first time I came here, was actually with the same friend quite a number of years ago when I first moved to Sydney. This is where my taste for cocktails was born... we had discovered the Lotus Martini. The problem was they were so good we kept ordering them, forgetting the fact that we would get the bill at the end. When we went to close off our tab we realised that while we had enough money to pay for them, we would be eating rice and water crackers for the next week. Luckily for us we have moved on from those times and learnt a valuable lesson… we needed better jobs to fund our lifestyles.

The bar is located in the same complex as Establishment, so ladies when you arrive remember to quickly move past the sleazy suits lurking around the ground floor bar and catch the lift to level 4.

As the doors open you will hear the mellow sounds of lounge and soulful beats. This bar whispers high class sophistication and elegance, the table service is polished and young and the décor – lush and gorgeous, reminiscent of a traditional cigar lounge, furnished with low, comfortable lounges and oversized ottomans making it perfect for cosy conversations.

It’s a bar I dream of owning, just so I can play host, eat sushi everyday and finish the night off on a comfortable burgundy lounge with a Lotus Martini.

Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale

See for yourself: http://www.merivale.com/#/establishment/hemmesphere

Grasshopper

Address: Temperance Lane, Sydney (off George St between King and Market, Next to RM Williams)

A welcome addition to Sydney's bar scene or just a noisy insect?

With Grasshopper recently being crowned the Best Small Bar in Australia, and a number of great reviews since its opening earlier this year, I thought it would be the perfect location to kick off my bar discovery. So I headed down with a couple of friends for a well deserved after work beverage.

We are greeted by a handsome staff member (points here ladies), who informs us that food is served upstairs and that there is only one beer (Peroni) available, as I am not a beer drinker this is of no real concern to me and my two friends also don’t seem to mind.

We head downstairs to the bar, past the crowds sitting outside on milk crates, I look around as I wait for my drink, I don’t mind that it is crowded, the staff are friendly and the quirky mismatched furniture adds character, however my opinion quickly turns as we are handed our drinks.

Now I tend to live my life with rules and mottos, usually my own set, one of these being “Everything taste better in nice glasses” (in my case preferably a champagne flute or martini glass) so being served a cocktail in a vegemite jar and bubbles in a plastic wine glass, while sitting on a milk crate in a small alley surrounded by rubbish bins may be enjoyable for some… it isn’t for me.

The bar is located down Temperance Lane, unseen from George St. This seems to be one of its better qualities, as being hidden down a narrow alleyway makes it ever so easy to stroll past and pretend it isn’t there.






Martini rating: 1 – 5 scale




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