So theatrical!! They put on a show for a lot of the cocktails - the espresso martini was one of the coolest to watch
![Zomato]( "Recensione")
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...
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