It’s great to see a drinks list giving recognition to some of the classics that may have fallen by the wayside or been bastardised over the years. For instance: the Mary Street Hurricane – dark rum, house-made grenadine, lime juice, and a whole passion fruit shaken violently and dumped into a traditional hurricane glass; the Slow Gin Fizz – gin, sloe gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white shaken and served neat with a dash of soda water; or the French 75 – gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup shaken and served on the rocks with a sparkling wine float.
The space is generously sized while remaining intimate, like any good cocktail bar should be. Wooden surfaces, leather couches, warm brick walls and just the right amount of Louisiana-style flair. Enjoy a drink on the footpath or settle into the intimate surrounds inside with subtle lighting and not-so-subtle southern jazz.
Awarded Best Small Bar of the Year 2012 at the Sydney Bar Show, The Collection has more than one string in its bow. Strongly influenced by the history of New Orleans, the food menu includes dishes such as Shrimp and Crocodile Cheesecake; House Gumbo; and Red Beans and Rice based on Louis Armstrong’s old recipe.
The owners have a great pedigree, having worked behind the bar at New York’s PDT and San Francisco’s Bourbon and Branch. This venture is the sort of place that locals love and others don’t hesitate to travel across town for.
