It’s Friday night in the city. We work hard, we play hard. Things can only get better.
If you’ve been stuck in an office all week, there’s nothing like a night out with your friends, with the music cranked and the perfect refreshing tipple in hand (right now, a Jack Honey and Dry* will nicely do).
Leave behind the freezing office cubicle and head to these local hotspots – some of the best bars in Sydney and Melbourne that know how to draw a crowd.
In Sydney:
If you reckon you know a good cocktail when you taste one, make a bee-line for Sydney’s kitschy temple of cocktails, Hinky Dinks. The only thing serious here is the knowledge behind each pour, so sit back and let the expert staff take you through a host of classics and originals that’s sure to impress you and your crew.
Named after Michael ‘Hinky Dink’ Kenna, a corrupt Chicago politician who owned a bar and would give away drinks to the homeless in exchange for votes, it’s a little nod to the seedy gangster culture Darlinghurst was famous for.
With retro stylings replete with black and white chequered floors, leather booths and cherry red bar stools, this is a fun place to while away the darker hours and get fun priorities – “Cocktails first, questions later” – straight!
Tucked in the back of the Kirketon hotel, Eau De Vie makes cocktail hour cool, with vintage-inspired décor, a speak-easy bar stocked to the hilt with the good stuff and dark corners to converse, or if you so prefer, canoodle in.
A succinct cocktail list of classics and Eau De Vie signatures will still give you plenty to work through, but if what you’re after isn’t there, the skilled and friendly bartenders are more than happy to accommodate.
Owner Sven Almenning’s love of all things liquid extends to a massive collection of vintage cocktail-making paraphernalia, including a shaker shaped like a woman’s leg. Peruse the cabinets filled with rare spirits and trinkets displayed in glass lockers. Here, great service, awesome cocktails and good times are king.
Do you pine the ‘til death do us part’ from your local watering hole? Have we found the place for you. Set in amongst the leafy Bourke Street, Surry Hills, The Carrington is primed to keep even the most promiscuous of socialites returning back for more.
Part of the new school wave of pub, The Carrington is laid back, entertaining and good value. The fit out is a successful trifecta of pub out front, restaurant out back and sandwiched in between is a delightful nook featuring a pinxtos cabinet. A tip? Go with a thirst and an appetite groomed for great grub. Despite its obvious homage to Spain throughout, somehow they’ve still managed to hold onto its pub-like origins thanks to head chef Jamie Thomas. Clearly, this is the spot for snacking, sipping and swarming with your friends.
In Melbourne:
Cookie is the spot for when you’ve got a big group who want to make some noise. Cocktail bar, restaurant, beer hall, music venue all rolled into one, Cookie has something for everyone.
With what must be one of the city’s most extensive food and wine menus, your best bet is to try and snag a table asap so you and your friends can settle in for a substantial session.
Located on level one of Curtin House on Swanston St, Cookie manages to make you feel miles away from any pretention and right in the centre of all the action, any night of the week.
Loop Bar brings together some of Melbourne’s favourite things. Lane ways, cocktails, and art. Tucked into the party lane way Myers Place, Loop bar puts drinking with friends next to art works from screen, audiovisual performances, DJ based events, to exhibitions. They’ve also recently opened a rooftop bar for those warmer months. The place to get your culture on.
Don’t get bogged down in the hustle and bustle of Melbourne’s streets. Head upstairs to Campari House on Hardware Lane, where the rooftop bar with fake grass is the spot for a few drinks and catch up conversations after a long day. It’s strongly recommended that you munch on one of their killer pizzas while sipping your tipple – it’s just the rooftop for it, especially when the sun’s shining.
Campari House boasts a ground floor Italian restaurant in the same building. Or you could head to the intimate cocktail lounge on Level two and settle into one of the leather booths for a late night (or early morning) session.
So now we’ve told you where to go, how about we share with you what to drink, try the Jack Honey & Dry, a refreshing alternative to the norm. To give you your first taste we have 8 Jack Honey refresher packs to giveaway with a Bottle of Jack Daniels Honey, limes, glasses, swizzles and a 3-month subscription to Spotify Premium.
We love a Jack Honey and Dry. To enter tell us in 25 words or less how you would serve Jack Honey and draw your crowd.
*Jack Honey & Dry Recipe
Ingredients:
1 part Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey
3 parts Dry
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a tall glass over ice and garnish with a lime.
This is a sponsored message championed by Jack Daniel’s Honey. Don’t get stung – please drink responsibly.
