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Bars

Middlebar, Darlinghurst

Middlebar has opened in Darlinghurst at the site previously occupied by Lo-Fi.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst
Middlebar, Darlinghurst 

Located on the first floor of the Kinselas Hotel, the space was incidentally named “Middle Bar” in a previous incarnation. The venue is managed by David “Rizza” Rozario (ex The Baxter Inn) with Lee Potter Cavanagh (ex Whisky Jerx) as Executive Bartender.

Channeling a small bar vibe, Middlebar is inspired by Old Havana in Cuba and is set become one of Sydney’s homes of the Gintonic and the Daiquiri.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst
Gin and Tonic Station

The back bar is divided into dedicated stations for the Gintonic and Daiquiri, each displaying the options on a board. You can choose your favourite Gin, complement it by your choice of Tonic and your favourite garnishes.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst
Gintonic

All Gintonics come served in copa glasses.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst
Gin

It’s well worth keeping an eye on the selection of spirits and trying some of the rarer gins such as Jensen’s Gin, Adnams Copper House Dry Gin and the excellent Monkey 42.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst
Daiquiri

When it comes to Daiquiris ($18), there is a choice of eight including El Floridita, Banana and Mulata with chocolate to transport you to the warmth of Cuba.

Beer on tap includes Asahi, Coopers Pale Ale and Wayward Keller Instinct with the likes of Corona and Cascade Light in bottles. Wine is mainly available by the bottle with a concise choice by the glass. Varieties include wines from Chile, Argentina and Vino de Jerez.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst
ToSCaR

The Cocteles list is not limited to gin and rum. There’s a Martini Service (from $18) again with your choice of brand and garnish, and if you’re undecided, ask for the Flightini which is already infused with olive and lemon.

Other cocktails include the classic Hotel Nacional de Cuba, Smoke and Winters with Del Maguey Mezcal and Scotch, and the must-have Taylor Square Corpse Reviver or ToSCaR, an excellent mix of Martin Millers Gin, Fernet Branca and creme de menthe glaciale which lives up to its name.

Middlebar, Darlinghurst

When you feel peckish, order at the bar from Johnny Wong’s Dumpling Bar menu with a range of dumplings starting at $9.50 for 5 pieces, Roast Duck Pancakes ($15 for 3 pieces) with $1 dumplings all night on Wednesdays.

Like its predecessors, Middlebar is retaining a music focus with a dance floor and runs into the late night hours until 3 am.

Middlebar opened to the public on Friday 24 July and runs Wednesdays to Sundays.

Middlebar
Level 2, 383 Bourke St,
Darlinghurst NSW
Hours: Wed to Sun, 5pm-3am
www.middlebar.sydney

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About the author

Corinne Mossati

Corinne Mossati is a drinks writer, author of GROW YOUR OWN COCKTAIL GARDEN, SHRUBS & BOTANICAL SODAS and founder/editor of Gourmantic, Cocktails & Bars and The Gourmantic Garden. She has been writing extensively about spirits, cocktails, bars and cocktail gardening in more recent years. She is a spirits and cocktail competition judge, Icons of Whisky Australia nominee, contributor to Diageo Bar Academy, cocktail developer and is named in Australian Bartender Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential List. Her cocktail garden was featured on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia and has won several awards. She is a contributor to Real World Gardener radio program and is featured in several publications including Pip Magazine, Organic Gardener, Australian Bartender and Breathe (UK). Read the full bio here.

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