Bar Fly

THE BOURBON
22 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point (02) 9035 8888 thebourbon.com.au
Outside The Bourbon, the restoration of the El Alamein fountain heralds the renewal of The Cross. Now a long way from those infamous Bourbon and Beefsteak days and tales of Ricky Ponting mischief, this iconic late night institution has had its own remake. And it’s classy! Yet the new design does capture some feel for the 70s ‘heyday’. As does the signature Vie Bourbon ($17) cocktail, with the inclusion of Midori. BAR FLY showed a fondness for the refreshing Saxosexy ($18): vodka, pomegranate liqueur, lemon juice and grapefruit soda – putting a few of my favourite things (including music and sex) in one glass. The spirit selection is excellent and classic cocktails are done well. There’s also live music, a great choice of beers, an excellent wine list by the glass and very tasty, reasonably priced food.

SWEETHEARTS
33–37 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point (02) 9368 7333 sweetheartsbbq.com.au
When the BAR FLY was a tiny tot she remembers her Mum drinking shandies – almost always it was at a quintessential Aussie BBQ. Shandies are making a comeback at Sweethearts, but they’re not the same as the (half beer, half lemonade) ones Mum used to drink. The three on offer here are mightier creatures: Sweethearts’ BBQ Shandy ($8) is a combo of Little Creatures Pale Ale, BBQ sauce, lime and ginger beer with a salt rim. Shandies, wine spritzers, pitchers and slushies are fitting drinks for the rooftop BBQ concept of this bar; coloured lights and wooden outdoor furniture work well with the coloured glass sets that accompany the drink jugs. Of the three pitchers on offer, our favourite long drink was the Hills Hoist ($30) – another quintessential Aussie icon. Keeping with the theme, the service is also laid back, Aussie BBQ style.