The Absinthe Salon

This place is a gem in surry hills! Not many places in Sydney offer absinthe in an authentic way as this place does. Went here after a long week and was pleasantly surprised by this place. The service was great and staff were very friendly and helpful to explain the whole process. Would visit this place again, with more friends!

Quirky little place with a mystical gothic feel as soon as you enter. It is a place truly dedicated to the deadly liquor, absinthe, with a wide range of flavours and 3-drinks maximum. Served at the table, you get the full experience of how absinthe should be consumed.

Looking like any old heritage house in Surry Hills, we walked in to find ourselves in something resembling a dungeon, a lair you’re not meant to see filled with gothic artefacts, skulls, and roots. Notes from the harpsichord thicken the air like a fog on an eerie night in Transylvania to announce the arrival of the green fairy . Absinthe , you might have heard of it; hell, you might have even had it and recall it’s a throat-searing substance that shouldn’t even be legal. Here, it’s not served as a shot to down in an instance, it’s prepared in the traditional rituals, for you to sip at your own pace like many revered artists have done before us including Ernest Hemingway , Vincent Van Gogh and Oscar Wilde . Yes, one of them is stark-raving mad and all certainly kooky, the drink

I and my friend, CC, were greeted from the iron gate by a gentleman in a period costume. With a flourish, we were permitted into the foyer, the air of which was perfumed by the pungent scent of liquorice. A younger gentleman took on the role of escort and led us through heavy black curtains into the salon. Ornately decorated like a French cafe, we could easily imagine how 19th Century artists might have spent their days sipping absinthe and musing about their next work.

The Dagon finds this place pleasing. This place is one of a kind in Sydney. Something about its gothicm art-deco ambiance always results in a night of whimsy and meryment. Absinthe is not for everyone, being such a strong drink, but the bartender there will guide you through the menu and help you select something suitable. It is a very small establishment so bookings with a small intimate group preferred.

A truly unique, quality experience. Around 4:30 on a Thursday afternoon my girlfriend and I decided to make a stop at a place we had read online about for a while, the Absinthesalon. With walls and a barred door all painted in black it already fitted the gothic image the website portrayed and when we went to open the door it was locked... Had the times been wrong on the website? No, it turns out we just had to ring the doorbell!

Just step one of the intriguing and exciting ritual that is the Absinthesalon. We were met by a well dressed gentleman who showed us through to the 'salon', a room with a total of maybe 9 tables, and interesting looking fountains on top of each one. With dim lights, curtains, and decorations whichever way you looked this place was like stepping in to another world!

We were shown the entirely absinthe menu, which is organised by alcohol strength to enable newbies like us to try something on the lighter side. Each absinthe had a picture, short blurb and a tasting note to help choose. They ranged from approx $15 to $22 (which, when you see the prices of these bottles online, you'll realise are some of the fairest priced drinks in Sydney!).

Our host, upon finding out that we hadn't been before, gave us an introduction as to what absinthe is (and what it is not!), and once we chose our absinthes they were measured out and we were asked to smell the aroma from the yellowy green liquid. We were then shown how to use the fountain to slowly drip water through the sugar and the spoon into the absinthe, and watch as the absinthe "unlocks".

Our spoons were then taken away and we were left to slowly sip our drinks, and boy if all you have had of absinthe before is the varieties at Dan Murphys and pubs you have NOT had real absinthe. I feel like with the menu they have put together at this place it would be impossible to make a bad decision.

I got through mine quicker than my girlfriend and had a look around at the shop. Hanging up they have large Marilyn Manson posters advertising his brand of absinthe, and next to them is a small bunch of dried wormwood. In the gift shop was various spoons, glassware and books on the subject, but strangely not any bottles to take home. Upon enquiring about this it turns out getting that kind of licence for a venue is hard enough, let alone the extra hoops that need to be jumped through for just high strength alcohol such as absinthe. I guess the regulations don't see the difference between boutique and binging, which is a shame.

Pouring my next absinthe I chose an "amer", which has more wormwood and thus a more bitter flavour. Our host told me the back story of the artist that recently died who released this particular absinthe. You really get the feeling that these people care greatly about what they do, and love imparting this knowledge onto others, which just makes the experience so much greater.

Our bill for 3 absinthes came to $54, which for the quality of the product, venue, table service and the education I felt was totally worth it (looking at my credit card statement it seems they didn't charge me the tip I left them!).

Highly recommend this place, when all that's going for most small bars these days is funky music and some tea lights, the Absinthesalon offers truly a unique experience!

Absinthe Salon is myself and a dozen or so friends, FAVORITE place! The selections of Absinthe are world class, as is the ambiance, and the incredible service. The moment you walk through the doors you are propelled back into time - a time of decadence, poetry and romance. The staff are delightful, charming and informative. A wonderful place for all and any occasions!

This is by far my favourite place to drink in Sydney. Catering to a niche market, the staff know their product better than anyone and are more than pleasant. Don't be put off by the 3 drink maximum, it's more than enough. And don't forget to make a booking on Friday or Saturday evening, as it gets quite busy. You will leave this place feeling uplifted and happy.

One of my favourite Sydney venues, excellent product provided with friendly and helpful service in beautiful surrounds. Dress well to do justice to the decor, and so that you're not outshone by the brilliantly dapper waitstaff. I try to bring out of town friends here as often as possible. :-)

Whether you've never tried Absinthe before, or you're an Absinthe enthusiast, this place is a really fun experience. It's not like any other bar in Sydney, it has it's own unique vibe. Staff is really helpful, specially if it's your first time there.