Tonight I am being taken to small bar, top of my wish list, for the first time.
I have read about Saga bar and lusted after it for some time. I have perused their whisky, tequilla and mezcal offerings, I know what I wish to order and I am looking forward to exploring by my dates side. Since coming to Sydney I have developed a whisky bottle shaped space in my heart for beautiful, seductive, small and beautifully or originally decorated bars.
There is a seduction in the subtle lighting, the seclusion of a well appointed booth, an air of excitement in seeing an array of bottles on a shelf and wishing to try them one by one.
I really enjoy dates which include social times in bars, I believe you can learn so much about one another by having using a variety of different location backdrops to your connection.
Here is a list of my favourite Sydney Whisky Bars
Mjolner- the bar manager has excellent taste and introduced me to my all time favourite whisky Samorali’s Wild and Primitive, which is a independent bottling of a Caol Isla from 1998), they also have great music and food
Eau De Vie- their whisky room is exquisite, also a wonderful place to take those who like a cocktail (with theatrics) and want to support your whisky adoration.
Baxters Inn- all time favourite venue, best theme, best decor, widest whisky selection. This is one of my top two whisky bars in the world (I also love Milroys). Go and peruse, as a Islay lover, this is a heavenly spot
Shady Pines- (also owned by Swillhouse)- smaller selection of whisky’s as this bar specialises in bourbon, some good entry level whiskys and a wonderful atmosphere
The Doss House- the decor is exceptional, the building itself is convict era and it has an underground feeling due to it being in a basement. Introduced me to the distillers edition of Coal Isla that I love
Archie Rose- another beautiful location, you can learn how to blend your own whisky here (dream date idea)
Tokyo Bird- small bar specialising in Japanese whiskies. I tried my first smoked independent bottling of a Japanese peated whiskey
Grain- table service (or not if you are a fussy fuck like me who really likes to know what is available and to smell all the whiskys and mezcals
Here is a list of Whisky bars I most want to go to in Sydney
Bulletin Place - I want to try their boutique distillery and limited edition, only available at the distillery bottles
Stitch- as an Ardbeg lover (I have 9 bottles at home) I want to go to the only Ardbeg Ambassador bar in Sydney
Whisky Room- I still have not found this room in the clock hotel!
J&M I want to sit in one of those Chesterfields and lovingly sip a dram
