5 of Sydney's Best Cocktail Bars

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Sydney's small bar movement has achieved what it set out to do in 2008, with venues such as Pocket Bar and Sticky Bar now well established and catering to the desires of the city's sophisticated drinkers. This year has seen the entry of some big players, who have brought a dash of fresh flavour to the scene.



Below are my pick of five small bars worth including on your next cocktail crawl, if you fancy something fruity.

1. Since I Left You
338 Kent Street, Sydney

Located on Kent Street in an old converted sandstone warehouse, it's easy to miss Since I Left You if you're not searching for it. Entry to the bar is through a cobble-stoned carriageway, framed by the high arches of the building, and containing tables and chairs with iron-cased candles for those unable to find a seat inside. The indoor space has a New York feel to it, with a sleek metal bar counter and ceiling, black and white furniture and art-deco posters on the walls.

Open until midnight every night Tuesday-Saturday, it's a perfect destination for a date or an intimate catch up with friends after work or after dinner. The security guard entertains those waiting in line at the front, and the owners, Elvis & Nick, serve customers with a friendly smile and a willingness to chat as they mix drinks. The venue, in turn, exudes a warm and welcoming vibe.

The menu offers a range of beer, wine, champagne, cocktails and shots. The cocktail list is divided into 'Signature Cocktails' and 'Classic Cocktails' like Peach Bellini, Margarita, Cosmopolitan, Mojito and Caipiroska. The highlight for me is the Tutti Frutti which is described as a party in your mouth, containing rum, peach schnapps, watermelon, strawberry and crushed Fruit Tingles sprinkled on top. The 'Lil Matey is also a stand out, made from vodka, vanilla vodka, peach schnapps, mandarin, lime and passionfruit. The Honeypot, consisting of vodka, peach schnapps, vanilla, honey and pomegranate seeds, is rich and only for the most serious sweet tooths.

Since I Left You has a select range of food available. There are cheese plates, charcuterie plates, small dishes such as chicken & tarragon terrine and marinated octopus, and bar snacks such as marinated olives and corn chips with guacamole.

2. Eau-de-Vie
229 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

Recently named the World's Best New Cocktail Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans, Eau-de-Vie exceeds all expectations and has quickly become my favourite bar in Sydney. It beat three of New York City's best bars to win the title. Nestled at the back of the Kirketon Hotel, it's easy to stroll past without a second thought unless you know that it's there.

Eau-de-Vie (a French translation of the Latin 'aqua vitae' – 'water of life') is open every night until 1am. Dimly lit and cosy, it feels like a 1920s underground bar. The bar itself is very grand, with bar paraphernalia such as a glass cocktail shaker shaped like a lady's leg and a copper mould for making spherical ice cubes. You'll find the bar perched as the centrepiece of the main room, which also consists of a communal wooden table with wooden stools, a grandfather clock and lounges lining the back three walls. There is a smaller second room at the side of the bar, which is richly adorned with a deer head and gold framed paintings. The dark decor is complemented by the soft jazz music in the background.



The bar is well stocked and the cocktail menu is the most extensive that I've ever seen. It's divided into sections for easy navigation:
• 'Eau-de-Vie Favourites.'
• 'Meet the Eau-de-Vie Crew:' Each bartender's signature cocktail.
• 'Shaken, Stirred, Thrown & Flamed.'
• 'Shared Experiences:' Cocktails for sharing.
• 'Donated, Borrowed, or Just Simply Stolen:' The bartenders' favourite cocktails from around the world.
• 'Tantalus:' A 'lock and key' case atop the bar counter, containing three crystal decanters of scotch, cognac and tequila that can only reach the mouths of the wealthiest patrons.
• 'Eau-de-Vie Personal Drinks Cabinet:' Purchase any bottle of spirit at the bar and it's stored in your own personal cabinet with your own key, to be accessed at any time and poured by you if you like.

With such an abundant list, the choices may seem endless. My recommendations are the Mesha, vodka, lime juice, raspberry, falernum syrup, apple and crushed pineapple, or the East Side Peach, vodka, poached peaches, grapefruit juice, lime juice and mint. Also make sure you try The Hendricks Tea Party, cucumber and rose-infused gin, berry-infused black tea, orange, basil and a lemon twist, and the Dark 'n' Stormy, rum, ginger beer and 'secret ingredients'. The drinks are served in quirky glasses, such as tea cups, martini glasses, art-deco coupettes, and ornate tiki mugs.

Apart from the cocktails, the most notable feature of Eau-de-Vie is the friendly and warm service. All of the bartenders are extremely knowledgeable, professional and clearly connoisseurs of fine drinking. If you're after something that's not listed on the long menu, they're more than happy to accommodate.

The food range consists of mezze style plates, including dips, fried haloumi, scallops, cheese and watermelon balls.

A visit to Eau-de-Vie is truly an experience.

3. Funky Bar
256 King Street, Newtown

Set on bustling King Street, Funky Bar has recently re-opened after renovations and a reinvention under new management. With its rich black & red wallpaper, wooden finishes and chandeliers, the decor has a Baroque feel to it. The venue has evolved from its cafe roots to a chic New York style nightspot.

The bar stretches along one wall length, with tables and chairs along the opposite wall length. This narrow passageway opens up into a lounge area at the back, which provides a more intimate setting. Open until midnight every night, Funky Bar plays host to a range of regular live music acts ('soul infused pop-rock') Tuesday-Saturday. The artists position themselves at the front of the venue, with the beats wafting through the front door to passersby.



The menu contains beer, wine, spirits and a brand new cocktail list. The head mixologist, Preshanth, has developed the signature range and creates his own syrups using 'secret ingredients'. The Hubba Bubba, for instance, contains gin & tequila infused with a Hubba Bubba syrup that is made from 14 ingredients, grapefruit bitters, lemon juice and apple juice. The French Floss Martini is another delight – black raspberry vodka & Chambord infused with a Pineapple Vanilla syrup, raspberries, apple juice, citrus and topped with a tuft of pink fairy floss that melts as you devour the drink. Also worth trying are the Casablanca, rum, Chambord, passionfruit, raspberries, vanilla sugar and grapefruit juice, the Amazing Perfect, vodka, Cointreau, passionfruit pulp, vanilla sugar and apple juice, the Aperitivo, Aperol mixed with a Blood Orange syrup, grapefruit bitters and champagne, and the Cheesecake Sour, home made Lemoncello, rum, Frangelico, mascarpone cheese and a Lemon Caramel syrup. Preshanth says the Espresso Martini is 'the cocktail for guys that don't like cocktails' – while the chocolate fairy floss on top is enticing, the drink is quite strong and best suited for harder drinkers.

Preshanth's care and attention is replicated by all of the staff at Funky Bar, resulting in the venue radiating a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere.

Also a restaurant, Funky Bar has an extensive food menu consisting of share plates, salads, sides, main meals and desserts. The arancini balls, rocket & pear salad and zucchini tempura chips are great accompaniments for Preshanth's concoctions.

4. 13b

13b Burton Street, Darlinghurst

Just around the corner from Pocket Bar, 13b, affectionately known as 'The Safehouse', is easy to miss. A cafe by day and bar by night, it's open 7am-3pm on Monday, 7am-midnight Tuesday-Saturday and 8am-4pm on Sunday. The petite space has a marble bar with ornate golden lions on the front, marble tables, red curtains and long candlesticks mounted on the walls, giving it a dignified and intimate feel.

13b offers an extensive wine and champagne list, and is well stocked with top-shelf whiskeys and tequilas. But it's the comprehensive cocktail list that makes it a stand out. The cocktail menu is divided up into 'The Cocktail Hour,' 'The Good Fellas,' 'Classic Martinis,' 'Fancy Drinks' and 'Finishing Touch'. With a palette for sweet and fruity cocktails, I stay on the 'Fancy Drinks'. The Amazingly Perfect is a winner, described as 'A perfect mix for the perfect person', it consists of vodka, passionfruit puree, vanilla sugar, apple juice, lemon twist and a half vanilla sugar rim. As is The 13b with tequila, green apple syrup, watermelon, kaffir lime leaves, apple juice and lime. Other highlights are The Original Bling, tequila, green apple syrup, pineapple, basil, vanilla sugar, apple juice and lime, and the Mandarin Martini, gin, peach liquer, mandarin, lemon juice and a lemon twist.

There are share plates of dips with bread, cured meats and olives available – as well as a few desserts. Check the small fridge on top of the bar for the 'Cake of the Day'. The service is personable and attentive, with the bar staff willing to share their thoughts and make recommendations.

I3b was voted the Best Bar/Cafe by the Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2011, and it's not hard to see why.

5. Grandma's Bar
275 Clarence Street, Sydney

Grandma's Bar is a basement level bar, underneath a guitar shop. The only sign of its existence is a security guard standing on Clarence Street, who asks confused loiterers 'Are you looking for Grandma's?'

Entry is down a set of stairs lined with artificial turf, past a large deer head. This opens up into a small concrete space with brick walls, retro couches, rocking chairs, crochet blankets, old lamps and baskets of knitting needles and yarn littered around. It certainly conveys the feeling of being at Grandma's home. The owners, Warren and James, who refer to themselves as 'Grandchildren', describe Grandma's as 'A retro-sexual haven of cosmopolitan kitsch and faded granny glamour'.



There is a small selection of beer, wine and cider available. But the focus of the floral print menu is on tiki style cocktails, largely rum or tequila based, and fruity punches. The Atomic Punch hits the spot, made from a secret blend of rums, peach, passionfruit and topped with champagne. The Basil Grande contains vodka, Chambord, Grand Marnier, cranberry juice, strawberries and basil leaves, or try the Royal Hawaiian with gin, lemon juice, pineapple juice and orgeat syrup, and the Raspberry Moscow Mule, vodka, ginger beer, raspberry, lime and mint leaves, also leaves an impression. There is a large glass bowl on the bar top, which contains 'Today's Punch'. The 'secret ingredient' changes daily, and customers are invited to guess what it is.

The homely feel of Grandma's is rounded out by the home-made grapefruit soda and ginger beer that are used in the drinks, the tea cups and enamelled tin mugs that the drinks are served in, and the comfort food on offer from the kitchen. Namely the chicken, cheese, vegetarian and spaghetti jaffles served with Japanese mayonnaise – the other options are biltong or curried cashews. It's open every night except Sunday, until midnight.

'There's no place like home – except Grandma's'

The emergence of these affable small bars has injected fresh life into Sydney's nightlife. The growth, long awaited, has been hugely welcome and raised Sydney's nightlife status. Sydney is no longer boring after dark.

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