Eat, sleep, cocktail, repeat!
Did you know today’s cocktails can be traced back to the early 19th Century in the USA when a New Orleans bartender named Antoine Amédée Peychaud served a mixed drink in a French eggcup?
Called a ‘coquetier’, the eggcup drink became anglicised to ‘cocktail’ and behold Party Season suddenly had a new gatecrasher! Here are six venues where the cocktails are always Pretty Fly for a Mai Tai:
Creative Cocktail List
Fronting Yarra Street with easy confidence is Geelong’s Centra Hotel, an all-in-one dining destination for Italian-style cuisine. Bedecked in elements resonating with a modern public drinking house, Centra has walls of exposed red brick radiating warmth and a touch of rusticity, while opposing walls are crisp white for a spacious, clean and airy feel that encourages visitors to dine, laugh and relax with ease.
A passionate kitchen team maintains close connections with growers and suppliers, ensuring the Italian menu stays seasonal, paired with wine, craft beer and cider; grab a Bottom of the Barrel whisky cocktail with Port, lemon, orgeat syrup and nutmeg to go with plates like pistachio-crusted lamb rack, with potato millefoglie, eggplant caviar and confit garlic.
Cocktails with a Stunning View
With stunning views over Laguna Bay, Season Restaurant on Hastings Street offers the ultimate Noosa dining experience. Celebrating more than 15 years on Noosa’s Main Beach, Season is one of the area’s quintessential eateries, known for contemporary, fresh cuisine, served just moments away from the coast’s pristine blue waters.
Kick back on the deck and take in sea breezes, or enjoy a romantic meal at white-clothed tables inside with a chilli, palm sugar and kaffir lime Margarita to peruse a menu brimming with choices like kingfish sashimi, pickled rhubarb, cucamelon and pomegranate buttermilk dressing; followed by spanner crab pasta with chilli, garlic, preserved lemon, rocket and salsa verde.
Every Drink Has a Tale in the Pour
Storyteller: The Baron’s Tasting House on Cressy Street in Deniliquin is a unique liquor bar specialising in exotic spirits, cocktails and stories. Crafted to bring people together in a comfortable vibe of considered design, artistic and musical talent and friendly storytelling, every drink at this speakeasy has a tale in the pour and secret in the sip; settle in with a Willy Wagtail cocktail – like a fancy coffee with a kick of vodka.
Be prepared to roam the spirit world with liquors from around the globe such as Raicilla, Armagnac, Pisco, sake and arrak, as well as top-quality Australian gins, Caribbean rums, Japanese whiskies and so much more. The ideal place to celebrate your next special event, Storyteller can cater for private functions with music, meals and drinks packages.
Killer Cocktail List Awaits
Discover an underground bar in Adelaide’s West End with a big focus on local at Bank Street Social on Hindley Street. Step into a moody and intimate vibe of sultry lighting, exposed brick and curved booths, ideal for after-work catchups or romantic rendezvous with your special someone. Expect killer cocktails and the best SA beer and wine along with fresh pizza packed with regional produce, while the back bar holds an enviable sipping list of premium gin and whisky from Australia and around the world.
Shaken, stirred and served with style, pair your cocktail choice with crispy halloumi fries, thyme, honey and lemon, or pick up a slice of chorizo pizza with Parmesan, potato, fresh rocket and pesto; vegetarians opt for Moroccan spiced eggplant pizza, topped with bocconcini, chunky Romesco sauce and fresh rocket, or mushroom, chevre, lemon zest, fresh parsley and pesto.
Set the Scene with a Cocktail or Two
For more than two decades, Blossom Thai on Cunningham Street in South Yarra has been dishing up delicious, authentic Asian fare with flair to discerning Melbourne foodies. Banquette seating along with intimate tables for two await while the walls are adorned with authentic Thai artwork to set the scene for memorable meals best shared with family and friends.
Perhaps pair an Aperol Spritz, Negroni or Cosmopolitan with starters like marinated chicken skewers with tasty peanut sauce, or Thai fish cakes and sweet chilli sour sauce; before Chef-recommended mains such as grilled Tasmanian salmon, mild red curry, shredded coconut and basil leaves wrapped in a banana leaf, or tender massaman beef curry, with pineapple, potato and sides of coconut rice and roti bread.
