Night Out
Sydney-City-Center
May 11, 2018
The award-winning Pocket is that rare thing: a bar popular both with the style writers and taste makers and also with public. The compact yet vibrant Darlinghurst space has murals on the walls and a distinctive glass-topped bar that is almost worthy of art installation status, all set in a stylish urban space that boasts bare brick walls, recessed shelving decorated with old glass bottles, giant chalkboards and comfortable, low-slung leather couches that look straight out of Sherlock Holmes’ study. But all this undeniably cool surface sparkle would count for nought were the drinks not up to scratch and they certainly are. Though the cocktail menu includes some crowd pleasing sweet stuff there are some heavy-hitters amongst the fluff, and some serious thought has gone into the list the Refined Potation menu includes the splendidly named Fastidious Gangster and the gin and cucumber Maid in Scotland, while the New Creations include A Day of the Dead and the Bunga Bunga (the wittily written cocktail menu is an amusement in itself). If it’s a cold day but you still want something with a kick, try the range of hot alcoholic beverages mulled wine, hot toddies and spiced cider are just the thing to chase away the chill. There’s a decent wine list and above average bar nibbles include sweet or savoury crepes and a selection of sharer plates. (You also have to love a bar that promotes optimism by offering you 20% off your bill if, in the last week, you have got a parking ticket or, in their words, “A toll notice or stupid fine” though if you turn up with a speeding ticket or a drunk driving warning (ie, something that could potentially be harmful to others), they take a less charitable view: be prepared to be told you are a “bloody idiot” instead.)
