The Victoria Room has had another face lift. Gone are the faux furs and chair lifts of The Chalet, Winter’s pop up après bar, hello Darlo Country Club.
The teams behind Lobo Plantation and The Island have done it again, completely transforming the space with a fab themed outfit.
Country club meets Californian garden party. Think pastel pink walls, fizzy cocktails, leather arm chairs and plush booths. It’s a little like stepping into The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Minus the Hollywood celebrities.
The big room is light and bright, a big departure from the Victoria Room, but it works. The walls are lined with all the bits and bobs you might have seen at a real country club back in the day – vintage tennis racquets, fencing masks, trophies, stuffed pheasants. Grab a booth by the windows for a midweek post-work drink and mellow acoustic music. Make the most of the big gold buttons spaced along the booths – press for drink service. The USB charging ports are a very nice touch too.
You’ll be pressing that button a lot once you’ve perused the cocktail menu. Whether you’re after fruity, sharp, soft, spicy or smooth, there’s old classics and fun new creations. Start with an Eton Fizz, a Tanqueray gin, strawberry, egg white and soda creation that’s not-too-sweet and just the right shade of pink, before moving on to the Bubbarita, a bubblegum flavoured margarita that is shocking shade of blue.
Food wise, there’s something for everyone too, from trios of bite sized sliders, crispy calamari and arancini, to salads and some seriously moreish chunky wedges of sweet potato and a decadent lobster and truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese.
Perfect for a midweek date night or a pumping weekend session, Darlo Country Club is the new spot for a bit of fab Californian fun.
Darlo Country Club
235 Victoria St, Darlinghurst
T: (02) 9380 4279
Weds: 5pm – midnight
Thurs – Sat: 5pm – 2am
facebook.com/darlocountryclub
