Eau de Vie

Eau de Vie is the end of your night, standing to attention, waiting to greet you. Once you’re here, either sitting at the beautiful long wooden bar or flopped out on one of the scarlet leather banquettes, it’s most likely you won’t be leaving until someone physically peels you away. Such is the draw of this Darlinghurst speakeasy run by bartending gun Max Greco. If you’re lucky you might even catch a glimpse of the elusive Charlie Ainsbury – the last unicorn of Sydney drinks-making – who landed here after quitting Duke. Yes, the bar is well stocked with rare spirits, boutique bitters, antique glassware and cocktail tools (hell, there’s even bottle service if you’re in possession of one their private lockers). And yes, the cocktail drinking here is some of Sydney’s finest (they’ll make you a Brooklyn to blow your mind). But it can be just as much fun to rock up for a beer and a shot and some decent chat. It’s also a helluva lot cheaper. This is a late-night bar, where cocktails are more than ice and booze in a glass. They’ll make any classic on the planet, and they’ll make it well. But they also enjoy getting a little experimental with drinks like the $32 Golden Century Martinez. Inspired by Sydney’s favourite late night Canto-Palace, the drink involves Peking duck-infused gin, house-made almond syrup, a maraschino cherry, sweet vermouth, whisky and sriracha bitters. Crazy.

Introducing new Magnum Pink Marc de Champagne and Magnum Black Espresso – different Magnums for different moments. What mood are you in today? Streets Magnum