Opened in 2005, following the renovation of the Sydney Hilton, Zeta Bar has proved a classy mainstay on Sydney’s party circuit and attracts drinkers and party goers every night of the week. Well-known for its edgy, comprehensive and it must be said, wallet-emptying cocktail menu, Zeta Bar is one of the most stylish places in town to let your hair down.

Once you’ve ridden the glass elevator from the Hilton’s lobby up to Zeta Bar, you’ll first notice the slick interior. Red velvet armchairs and foot stools prove awfully appealing, while the cosy nooks and crannies are perfect spots to impress a date. The terrace is popular during warm weather and offers stunning views of the Queen Victoria Building. A number of private booths and VIP areas are also stashed away and have in the past hosted a diverse range of celebrities.

Zeta Bar’s head bartender Grant Collins is behind the drinks list and seems to revel in creating playful and innovative cocktails. You know a bar takes their cocktails seriously when their cocktail list is sub-divided into six categories. At Zeta Bar, the listings feature the ‘signature’, ‘experimental’, ‘deconstructed’, ‘twisted classics’ and ‘forgotten classics’. This is the place to really try something other than the standards – although they do the standards pretty well also.

But at Zeta Bar the classics take a back seat to drinks with edible components and liquid nitrogen infusions. The Zeta Prohibition Iced Tea harkens back to the 1920s and is served in a jam-jar wrapped in a brown paper bag. The Casino is another great drink and derives from Harry Johnson’s Bartenders’ Manual, circa 1882. It is gin mixed with maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and orange bitters shaken with cracked ice, served straight up, in an antique martini glass.

And if that’s not edgy enough for you, there’s the Smoked Bacon Manhattan – a smoky bacon-infused bourbon, a dash of maple syrup, a splash of cherry syrup and sweet and dry vermouth. It’s served in a martini glass with crispy bacon on top, and comes complete with instructions.

And while throughout the week it’s all about cutting-edge cocktails and the moody atmosphere, Saturday nights see the party people descend en-masse as a mix of house and visiting DJs turn the bar into a stylish nightclub. The Saturday night soirees are extremely popular, so dress sharp and arrive early to guarantee entry.

Zeta Bar is located on Level 4 of the Hilton Hotel, 488 George Street, City. Opening hours are: Mon-Sat 5pm-late.

http://www.zetabar.com.au/

Recently named the best small bar in the Sydney Bar Awards, Shady Pines Saloon was one of the first bars to set up shop following the loosening of Sydney’s previously stuffy licencing laws. With a Wild-West-tavern-meets-dive-bar theme, Shady Pines Saloon has brought a little slice of Texas to a Darlinghurst back alley, and in its short existence has attracted a strong following.

And what keeps them coming back is the bar’s low-key atmosphere, stellar drinks list and friendly service. Located in an unassuming shopfront in a narrow lane off Crown Street, not far from Oxford Street, the bar is virtually hidden to the uninitiated. But swing the door open and you’re immediately transported to somewhere in the Wild West, USA.

The saloon theme is not done subtly: there are several dead sections of animals mounted on the walls, including a rather spectacular steer’s head which takes pride of place next to the bathroom door. The music playing in the background is country, with an occasional dash of western, but it’s played softly and easily allows you to have a conversation with your fellow drinkers.

“Howdy partner,” is the usual greeting customers receive on first entering the bar and the bartenders here really know their stuff. They can dish out a great whiskey sour, perfect negroni and a wicked gin martini. The bar boasts a terrific range of whiskeys and rye lovers will be in heaven.The accompanying free peanuts are a great touch and there’s something satisfying about piling the empty shells on the bar.

The beer list is another reason people make the trip to Shady Pines. Recently updated and expanded, the bar offers brews you just won’t find anywhere else. Tins of Coppers Malt are always the most popular and are a good choice for the budget-conscious. But rarer beers, such as Samuel Adams, Rosita and Sierra Nevada also are available, making Shady Pines a great choice for those looking to expand their horizons and those tired of the standard beers tapped elsewhere.

After opening in early 2010, Shady Pines Saloon has in short time become extraordinarily popular. Lines form most weekend nights and can start very early, even when it’s still light out. The bar is just at capacity though – no selective door policies here. If you don’t want to brave the line then schedule a mid-week visit when the bar is much quieter.

Shady Pines Saloon is the best example of Sydney’s more sensible bar laws. It attracts many people, has a different feel to every other drinking spot in the city and yet doesn’t engage in mindless exclusivity. It hasn’t had any direct imitators yet, but has laid the groundwork for nearby small bars such as Darlie Laundramatic, Love Tilly Devine and Name This Bar.

So if you want to get your drink on, round up your partners and mosey on down to Shady Pines Saloon. Yeehaw!

Shady Pines Saloon is at Shop 4, 256 Crown Street, Darlinghurst. Opening hours are from 4pm to midnight, daily.