The Hazy Rose, Darlinghurst

When you enter the Hazy Rose on your first visit, you feel an immediate sense of welcome. The small bar with its cosy and inviting vibe can lead you to believe you are in someone’s art deco home or their quaint salon.

The Hazy Rose, Darlinghurst

Not strictly a speakeasy bar, the Hazy Rose is located up a flight of stairs in Darlinghurst’s Stanley Street. The tiny entrance which was once unmarked now bears a small sign above it. Mood lighting, art deco lamps, comfortable sofas and retro chairs occupy the space at one end, with booth seating, banquettes and church pews on the other side.

Church pew seating

Owned by Dominique Easter along with her father Derek, the small bar opened in April 2012 and has since attracted a regular clientele and won the Best Small Bar award by Timeout Sydney Bar Awards. Harriet Leigh, long-time friend of Dominique is the Bar Manager and with the talented Brendan Keown behind the bar (both ex The Former Glory), you know you’re in good hands.

L-R: Dominique Easter (co-owner), Harriet Leigh (Bar Manager)

The well-stocked bar is the centrepiece of the space and you can make yourself comfortable on the high backed bar stools, watch the action and engage with the bartenders if you wish. Thoughtful touches such as built-in handbag hooks and stools that are easy to perch on for the vertically challenged let you know the place has been well designed to make the clientele feel at ease.

The bar

The drinks list includes wines from Australia, Spain, Italy and New Zealand and local Australian beers. There are over 30 whiskies to choose from including drams from Scotland, Australia and Ireland and a good range of Bourbon.

The cocktail list is well priced between $16 and $18 and is made up of Signature Cocktails such as the Fernet Julep and the Hazy Martini. The Classic Cocktails list changes on a more regular basis. “We like to educate people in different styles of cocktails,” Harriet Leigh explains.

If you’re feeling peckish, you’ll find a limited range of tasty bar snacks such as the delicious pork pies, chicken liver paté and vegetarian dips.

Banquette seating

The vibe is loungy with old school jazz and an ambience conducive to catching up with friends over a few good drinks. On Sundays, you can be entertained with live music.

In case you’re curious, The Hazy Rose is named after Dominique’s niece, Hazel Rose, arguably the youngest person to have an award-winning bar half-way around the world named after her.

L-R: Alan Taylor, Dominique Easter, Harriet Leigh, Brendon Keown

The Hazy Rose recently hosted a Sipsmith Gin* masterclass during Sam Galsworthy’s visit to Sydney. And with this London style gin, you can always get spiritual with a Martini on one of the church pews.

* Sipsmith Gin is featured in our Top 10 Gins article.

The Hazy Rose is featured in Sydney’s Best Winter Bars.

The Hazy Rose
Level 1, 83 Stanley Street
Darlinghurst
Ph: 02 9357 5036
www.thehazyrose.com.au