Sydney’s love affair with themed bars continues with Stanley’s bar, a Wes Anderson themed cocktail bar in Darlinghurst.
Located along the buzzy strip of cool bars and hip restaurants along Stanley Street, Stanley’s bar is an intimate venue with an indoor space that makes you right at home leading to leather lounges and a courtyard.
To fans of the films of director Wes Anderson, the decor at Stanley’s in Darlinghurst may seem familiar, from the fox paw prints a la Fantastic Mr Fox leading you in, and the zebra wallpaper of Margot Tenenbaum’s bedroom to the back bar reminiscent of the cross section of the Belafonte in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. You will even find his debut, Bottle Rocket on the cocktail menu.
The drinks menu opens with a selection of Champagne and sparkling wines by the glass, as well as Champagne-based cocktails such as French 75 and Stanley’s Classic Champagne Cocktail.
The fifteen-strong cocktail list includes modern classics such as the Cosmopolitan, Sidecar and East 8 Hold Up along some interesting twists. The Smokey Blood & Clam is a vodka-based Bloody Ceasar with Clamato juice and Lagavulin 16 yo spice mix while the Jasper Cricket brings together Jack Daniels Ice Cream with green crème de menthe and white crème de cacao.
For a more boozy alternative, settle back with the 1951 Martini – all 90 mls of it – which starts with a Cointreau rinse, the choice of gin or vodka, Noilly Prat, garnished with anchovy stuffed olives and served in a Nick and Nora glass with an accompanying shot glass to top up. Another spirit-forward cocktail to sip and savour time and time again is the 2010 East Cocktail combining Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey with Tio Pepe Sherry, Maraschino and Cynar.
Off menu cocktails can also be accommodated. Simply abide by the advice printed on the menu and “don’t be a dick about it”.
Stanley’s Darlinghurst
Address: 79 Stanley St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Hours: 5pm to midnight, Monday to Sunday
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
