So theatrical!! They put on a show for a lot of the cocktails - the espresso martini was one of the coolest to watch
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Eau De Vie is a cool 1920s-themed bar tucked away at the back of the Kirketon Hotel on Darlinghurst Rd.
Their cocktail menu almost resembles an elaborate picture book, with each page boasting cocktails of a different theme. Picking out cocktails with a date is a fun activity, though some are hit-or-miss and the menu is overdue for an update. To my knowledge, it hasn't changed in the past 2-3 years that I've been coming here. Simple bar food is also offered, which I've always found to be quite good.
Service is generally quite pleasant and attentive, and the team do a good job of presenting the cocktail 'theatre' that comes with certain drinks. This could involve lighting cocktails on fire in front of you, or throwing dried ice onto the floor to create a puff of smoke.
My main criticism of Eau De Vie besides the aging cocktail menu is the live music. The last Friday evening I was here, a performer took the small stage in the corner of the bar to spend 30-45 minutes belting out 80s and 90s pop songs. Needless to say, this didn't add to the 1920s ambience of the venue, and the music was so loud that my group in the lounge could barely hear one another. We seriously considered kicking onto another bar at this point.
My suggestion - as controversial as it might sound - would be to can the live music. I don't think any patrons come to Eau De Vie for the purpose of hearing live music, and it detracts from the otherwise cool vibe that the bar has going for itself.
Does My Bomb Look Big In This
+4
With the cool weather starting now, my palate has moved from gin to whisky. To get ready for the winter season, I visited a couple of whisky bars to keep you informed about where to drink this warming amber spirit. First, I got reacquainted with an oldie but a goodie – Eau-de-Vie in Darlinghurst. I was reminded of Sven Almenning’s moody speakeasy tucked in the rear of the Kirketon Hotel because he recently embarked upon a three-million-dollar equity crowdfunding drive for an upcoming bar venture. As all that Almenning touches usually turns to gold, it seemed like a great opportunity for customers to get in on the ground floor on a Nick & Nora’s Melbourne after the successful launch of Nick & Nora’s Sydney in Parramatta. Almenning’s strength is in his training and his people - recall former star bartenders, Luke Redlington and Max Greco. Today, just showing a modicum of interest had one of the bartenders...
Walk through The Kirketon Hotel, past the bathrooms and you’ll find this 1920s-inspired cocktail bar shying away behind an unmarked door. Don’t worry, the game of hide and seek is well rewarded, with the not-shy-at-all Eau de Vie serving up unfathomably good cocktails.
The 20-page cocktail menu is a bit to take in. But, whatever you choose, get ready for an experience – one that may involve smoke, flames and some outlandishly elaborate garnish.
If you love whisky you must visit this place for the love of whisky.
Got to know about special Wednesday promotion online, every Wednesday they do whisky tasting for just $40 pp. You get to taste 5 whiskey 15ml each, with a paired cheese! Yesss
Place has an amazing vibe. You will be briefed what you are having by your server.
Wednesday treat sorted :)
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My husband and I came here to celebrate a work achievement of mine. The cocktail list is impressive with over 70 different cocktails. This does seem a little overwhelming at first, however the incredibly friendly staff took the time to explain how the menu is grouped and what's the best section to focus on depending on your taste. I started with the 'you can't win friends with salad', which was delicious and refreshing. I followed this with a 'marshmallow fizz', which was just like a dessert in a glass! Watching the staff work together to create these beautiful cocktails was quite entertaining, and although I hadn't visited here previously as I usually stay in Darlinghurst on my own and thought I might be uncomfortable visiting without company, I will certainly be back as I'm sure the warm staff would make me feel welcome if I was alone. I was also impressed by how accommodating staff were towards my husband - a non-drinker who often feels left out at these places - they were quick to make suggestions of non-alcoholic drinks and fixed him a house made ginger beer. Thanks for a great night!
Wow this place is amazing... anyone who loves a very well made cocktail with a bit of a show then this is your place! The mixologists really know they're doing to make the interesting flavor combinations really work. First visited the Melbourne bar then found out there was one hidden away in Sydney! Very small and intimate bar with dark moody lighting. I'm kind of thankful it's hidden behind this hotels toilets, definitely a hidden gem!
Food menu is also very good
Great atmosphere and amazing cocktails. Staff is very friendly and prices are quite adjusted to the cocktail quality. Great for drinks in a quiet venue
Coming from Melbourne we have unfortunately never been to Eau De Vie - so obviously now in Sydney we needed to check it out. Hidden away at the back of a small boutique hotel in Darlinghurst, the bar has a great vibe to it. With a stylish clientele and super friendly staff you feel right at home seated in one of their cozy leather couches. The dimmed lights at to the feeling of comfort in this small bar. The cocktail menu is vast but luckily the wait staff knows it from front to end and can recommend the ideal drink for anyone. We had the Honey Butter Old Fashioned and the Kitty at the Cocobongo. While being completely distinct in taste, both were great, easy to drink and with depth in flavour. Only reasons why it's not a 5 is obviously the steep price point of the drinks and the simple interior that we found is better executed in some of our favourite bars in Melbourne such as gin palace. Seb
I was really excited to hit up this place on a Saturday night, as it was on my bucket list for some time. The menu was by far one of the most extensive drink menus I've come across, if not the most. The bar is hidden right behind the Kirketon Hotel behind some discreet doors, but just follow the music and it will lead you to the right place. Even though it was a Saturday night, service wasn't long and we ordered the buttered popcorn old fashioned and Yuzu mule. The drinks were delicious and well presented. The place was quite busy as expected for a Saturday night, but what really disappointed me was the lack of chairs/stools available! There were tables that were available but there was just a lack of stools, so we were left standing by a table with our drinks, so after one drink we decided to move to another bar.
One of the best bars in Sydney! The drinks are creative and original and it is an absolute delight to watch the bartenders mix the drinks before you. A night at Eau De Vie is always a great night!
Really liked this place, stumbled across it going to the bathroom of the restaurant next door. Probably not a place I would go regularly but well worth checking out and the drinks are really well priced for the quality and showmanship that goes into it all. I feel the place is a major fire hazard with the oil burning candles and blowing torches for drinks (more the candles) but hey it looks really good.
4 stars because they charge for credit cards including debit cards which i just don't respect.
Staff are really friendly and seem happy in their job.
I attended a whiskey tasting event. Absolutely fantastic event in a private area. I learnt so much about the history and the many manufacturing processes. Tasting was the best part. I was surprised to taste how much 3 drops of H2O can change a whisky. Some good and others... not a good idea to add it.
![4]( "Recensione")
With the cool weather starting now, my palate has moved from gin to whisky. To get ready for the winter season, I visited a couple of whisky bars to keep you informed about where to drink this warming amber spirit. First, I got reacquainted with an oldie but a goodie – Eau-de-Vie in Darlinghurst. I was reminded of Sven Almenning’s moody speakeasy tucked in the rear of the Kirketon Hotel because he recently embarked upon a three-million-dollar equity crowdfunding drive for an upcoming bar venture. As all that Almenning touches usually turns to gold, it seemed like a great opportunity for customers to get in on the ground floor on a Nick & Nora’s Melbourne after the successful launch of Nick & Nora’s Sydney in Parramatta.
Almenning’s strength is in his training and his people - recall former star bartenders, Luke Redlington and Max Greco. Today, just showing a modicum of interest had one of the bartenders embark with me upon a lively discussion about the perks their cluster of future bar-owners will receive in The Speakeasy Group venues. Having the forethought to make a table reservation means despite landing in a loud and busy bar, we’re whisked straight to a lounge for our whisky adventure. From the menu of four flights, we opt for Scotch 101 ($50/each).
Presented on a wooden board with an accompanying cheese and cracker bite from the Eau-de-Vie deli, our whisky flight kicks off with the Aultmore 12-Year-Old. It’s a fairly simple dram that’s light and fruity, from a Speyside distillery that’s been bottling whisky since 1897. It’s matched to Primo Amore – a red-wine infused Italian cheese. Matured for 16 years in bourbon barrels, the Ancnoc 16-Year-Old has a bit more going on with vanilla and cereal notes, plus a good bit of wood. It’s teamed with an Italian soft cheese – Taleggio – that smells funky but eats creamy, bringing up some fruit in the whisky.
Chalky Manchego, a Spanish sheep milk cheese, is teamed with the 12-Year-Old Old Pulteney. It’s a good balance to the whisky’s sweetness and faint salty lick. The best whisky on the board to my palate is the Talisker 10-Year-Old, which is the only smoky whisky. It's got a hint of pear-like sweetness, and some earthy swampy qualities, plus peppery heat on the finish. Eating a strong cheese like Gorgonzola with it, lowers the smoky dryness, and brings up the whisky's sweetness for me.
While we've had our noses buried deep in the glass, the bar has emptied out and become the relaxed speakeasy I first visited nearly a decade ago. It's been fun getting reacquainted with it over four wee drams.
Whiskey bar at its finest. A little small for big groups, so either come early or be prepared to wait. We only had time for 2 drinks since they close at 1am (Sat night) and had the old fashion whiskey which was served with a delicious peanut butter brittle. Will definitely come back!
Nice hidden speakeasy-ish bar in the back of the Kirketon hotel. Go towards the restroom sign and you won’t miss it. Excellent list of cocktails, almost too many so it might take a few tries to find what you like. I’d recommend the espresso martini or any of the sweeter drinks are quite fancy.
Were here on Sunday night and this place is adorable. The style is in every single thing here. Huge range of cocktails. Prices are average.
Everything you have heard and more. The level of service is unmatched the in Sydney, it's the first time while in Australia I've had a great Bar experience with truly exceptional Whisky and Francesco provided next level service. We will be back, we will be back many times.
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