Libertine

Libertine's fading opulence and vibrant Asian accents transport you worlds away from the heart of Kings Cross. Roomy booths and plenty of dark corners also make this the kind of place you'll feel like lingering. If you do want to turn up the heat, friendly staff are happy to serve up an endless supply of Vietnamese bar snacks such as chilli-spiked corn cakes with spicy caramel dipping sauce. A few French classics given the Libertine twist are thrown in for good measure. Drinks include a succinct collection of moderately priced wines sourced from the Barossa to Beaujolais, all geared to complement the spice factor. They even sell handy half bottles if you can't commit to a full one. Staff picks offer helpful explanations to aid your wine selection. Have fun playing ‘which cocktail are you?' with the list of cheekily named concoctions. Are you a ‘She Devil from the East' or a ‘Hanoi Honey'? If none of these names fit, there's always a few chilled 333 Vietnamese beers or Asahis to cool what ails you.