Bar Odessa is a new elegant bar located beneath 1821 Greek in Sydney, and on your first visit, nothing can prepare you for the glamour and luxe that lie beneath 1821.
Bar Odessa – Photo Supplied
Although entrance is via the restaurant or a lane directly behind 1821, Bar Odessa is an entity of its own, a plush, elegant and luxurious cocktail lounge draped in style with gold trims, black marble tables and red velvet furnishings.
Bar Odessa – Photo Supplied
The bar is named after the town of Odessa, where Greek diplomats and generals who were exiled after the Ottoman occupation in Greece lived and were subsequently liberated with the help of Russians and the assistance of Catherine The Great.
The Bar
Vodka takes centre stage at Bar Odessa with a cocktail list that takes Greek spirits and flavours to create innovative drinks based on well-known classics, Bar Manager Hemant Samtani explains.
Mastiha Mojito
Take the Mastiha Mojito ($19), a light and refreshing tall drink with Cachaça, Mastiha, lime, mint, soda. Mastiha is a liqueur laced with mastic, a resin from the mastic tree which is native to the Mediterranean. You get the brightness of the Cachaça upfront followed by the lingering sweetness of the Mastiha liqueur.
Ouzotini
The Ouzotini ($20) is described as an Ouzo ‘mini’ and contains mint-infused vodka, peach schnapps, lime and a half sugar rim. There is a subtle aniseed flavour from the Ouzo, gently flavoured with a hint of mint from the vodka which doesn’t over power the drink. The sugar rim does not work in this instance but all other elements are so beautifully balanced that you’d be tempted to order another.
Mastiha Sour
New to the menu is the Mastiha Sour ($18), where the classic sour combination of spirit, lemon juice, sugar and egg white work in harmony. The flavour is spot on and in a way reminiscent of Lebanese ice cream which contains mastic, the ingredient that gives it its stretchy and chewy consistency.
Metaxa Old Fashioned
Another cocktail that is all about giving classics a Greek flavour is the Metaxa Old Fashioned ($18). Metaxa is a Greek brandy made with and aromatic Muscat wines and works well in this combination of sugar, Angostura and orange bitters and a little fig jam for sweetness. It’s a sweeter style of spirit, smooth and very approachable to sip.
Other cocktails include the Beluga Berry Nice ($19), a sweeter and fruity style of drink with Beluga vodka, citrus infused vodka, Crème De Cassis and mixed berries; The Boumboulina ($19) with Beefeater gin, Martini Bianco, lemon juice, soda and salted caramel syrup; and the Greek Spritz ($25) with Metaxa, Plymouth Sloe Gin, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, fig jam and topped with Champagne.
Truffle Cheese Toastie
Should you feel peckish, you’ll find charcuterie and cheese plates among other items but the Truffle Cheese Toastie ($26) with thyme honey & truffle crisps is difficult to resist.
If you’re seeking a luxury experience, caviar is available starting at $85 for 20g of Siberian Sturgeon – Royal Baerii which you can pair with your choice of vodka.
Bar Odessa offers exclusive bottle service under lock and key where patrons can purchase a bottle of Beluga Vodka and have it kept in a cabinet on display for access on every visit.
Bar Odessa
122 Pitt St, Sydney
Entrance also via lane directly behind 1821
universalhotels.com.au/odessa
Except where indicated, Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
