Gorgeous George Bar, a cocktail bar by owner Flynn McLennan has opened in Darlinghurst at the former site of Pocket Bar and Mister Pocket.
Gorgeous George Bar, Flynn McLennan – Photo © Cocktails & Bars
Gorgeous George was the original bad guy of wrestling and one of the most influential pro-wrestler of his time. He was known to play dirty and cheat to win. Before a fight, his valet would spray the ring with “disinfectant” – Chanel No 5 perfume no less – which he referred to as “Chanel No 10”, saying, “why be half-safe?”
At Gorgeous George Bar in Darlinghurst, there are no half-safe measures. “I’m happy to ruffle feathers and not please everyone to give people a better experience,” says Flynn McLennan, owner and bartending talent behind Kagura, The Long Goodbye and The Highball Bar. His new cocktail bar doesn’t follow a theme or a trend. “If it tastes good, it’s on the menu.”
Don’t go expecting a replica of The Long Goodbye. You won’t find rows of house liqueurs made with an ultrasonicator but an all new back bar and a row of jars with exotic spices such as chipotle, green cardamom, Thai long peppers, galangal and curry leaf. They’re not there for show but for infusions and to add flavour to the repertoire of drinks.
The cocktail names have references to the sport but these may soon change. Chanel No 10 may allude to being a ‘feminine’ style of drink but is in fact a serious dry Martini. “I don’t want to be inoffensive,” says Flynn. The exquisite twist on the Vesper is made with saffron and rose infused Lillet Blanc, vodka, gin, 6 citrus bitters and sprayed with sweet olive flower perfume. The flavours carry to the last sip, with saffron lingering on the back palate while the aromatic spray adds a savoury element.
Despite its name, the mezcal-based Hurricane Ramirez brings together approachable flavours of orange, lime and passionfruit with a touch of heat from chipotle. No singular flavour dominates and the long drink makes for easy sipping.
By contrast, the Red Velvet Rope is a sultry sipper delivered with a side of nuts and dark chocolate. The cocktail is a take on the Rob Roy with cacao nib infused vermouth, Scotch whisky, beetroot liqueur for an earthy note and a little Glendronach heavily peated whisky for a hint of smoke.
On paper, the combination of “lemon, lime, orgeat, rum, gin, cognac, floc de gascogne” in Mankind may raise a few eyebrows. In the glass, the medley of flavours heightened by the Floc de Gascogne float comes together harmoniously in the sour style drink.
“We’re playing against the rules while staying tongue on cheek,” says Flynn.
Click through the following pages to view a selection of the cocktails at Gorgeous George Bar.
