BLACK BAR
Level G, Harbourside, The Star, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont (02) 9657 9109 www.ezard.com.au
Mention bar and The Star in one sentence and Marquee or Cherry probably spring to mind. Yet turn right as you enter the door to BLACK by Ezard and you’ll be welcomed to the discrete BLACK bar. The casino patronage of high rollers at BLACK means there’s a big spend here, and with that comes the money for an extraordinary international cellar including more than a taste of the USA. Talented BLACK sommelier (and Australian 2012 EAFE Young Waiter of the Year) James Audas says his top pick by the glass is Tunkalilla Riesling from Willamette Valley Oregon. Cocktails feature hand chiselled ice and house made ingredients like ginger beer. Try the Apple and Ginger Sour. Our number one cocktail pick though is The Siglo – cigars and whisky are not just for boys.
PALMER & CO
Abercrombie Lane, Sydney (02) 9240 3172 www.merivale.com.au/palmerandco
You enter another world when you go down these stairs to the Justin Hemmes version of small. And you can go down and stay later at Palmer & Co than at most other CBD joints. Here, “until late” means just that. While you’ve got to take your hat off to Merivale for the curiosities – the step forward into flapper, bowties, old-fashioned glasses and the retake on a prohibition theme – the cocktail list is the hit. (Who’s watching now?) The daily cocktail specials are often served prohibition style in teacups. Classic cocktails are a good bet when they are made with premium spirits. The list of spirits (gins, tequilas, whiskies) is worth a look just on its own. There’s beer or wine if you must. Be warned: it can get pretty busy. And that can mean queues.
THE MORRISON BAR AND OYSTER ROOM
225 George Street, Sydney (02) 9247 6744 www.themorrison.com.au
“I like people who shake up other people and make them feel uncomfortable.” Unlike the words of Jim Morrison, cocktails (shaken or stirred) at this namesake bar are feel good. All day every day, the downstairs Parlour Bar offers $10 cocktails like Mojitos. Upstairs, Bar Manager, Ben Broadie has just written a new cocktail list for the main bar; and he tells us the signature cocktail has evolved. Now, The Morrison ($15) mixes freshly juiced Granny Smith apples with American rye. Our other go-to cocktail is the Tequila Oyster Shooter. With your fresh oyster of the day, you choose: Verdita (pineapple, coriander, jalapeno, mint) or Sangrita (tomato, pomegranate, kaital, lemon.) Don’t be fooled by the tables and chairs: you don’t have to eat (though it’s hard not to be tempted.)
