The name Eau de Vie literally translates to "water of life" in French, although it is also the name used for a wide variety of distilled, fruit-based liquors. In Sydney, Eau de Vie is better translated as a dim and sultry bar responsible for some of the most creative cocktails in the city. Make reservations, and consider coming during the week when the crowds may be a bit more tolerable. They also boast some specials such as $1 Islay oysters on Thursdays and in Whiskey and Cheese Wednesdays. The Wednesday special is a particularly great deal as 40 AUD gets you a pairing of 5 cheese and 5 whiskies. On our visit, we managed to get lucky with Japanese Suntory whiskey night. Getting to compare the Chita Grain, Suntory Kakubin, Hibiki Harmony, Hakushu DR, and Yamazaki DR side by side was not only a treat for the palate, but made it easier to identify distinctive differences between each. The cocktails themselves come with quirky names, and list of unique ingredients. Lapsang Souchong, red miso, and even Parmesan were used to compliment the various liquors. Most importantly, they manage to slay on the taste in addition to the creativity factor. Not sure how long they stay on the menu, but for example the Black Lantern (Laphroaig 10 yo whiskey, Chivas 12 yo whiskey, coconut and red bean milk, with salt and sesame) was a well balanced masterpiece. The Popcorn Flip (Martell VS Cognac, Curaco, White Chocolate, Honey, Egg, Popcorn; Served Up) was like dessert in a glass. For those looking to pair their drinks with a bit more, Eau de Vie has small "Grazing" items such as potato croquettes, and pork terrine. Also,they offer larger "Plates" like steak slider (severed with 3) or scallops on the half shell. If all that wasn't enough to whet your palette, they adtionally have either single serve selections of meat and cheeses or tasting boards with an assortment of items ready to order. All in all a solid selection to savor alongside your drink of choice. While finding the speakeasy-esque bar off the street may not be the easiest feat, it is certainly worth the effort to do so. read more

Eau de Vie - Whiskey Wednesday: Whiskey Flight and Cheese Pairing - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

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A triumphant way to start, middle, or finish a night, and quite simply one of the best cocktail bars in Sydney. This was our last stop on a secret bar cocktail birthday crawl for the ages, and by the beard of Zeus did it deliver. Straight up, a massive fanboy shout-out to Joy and Camille, who went out of their way to look after us with smiles and good grace even after we were super late for our booking courtesy of some neglectful service at another bar. They looked after the every person in the place with fun, courtesy, care and laughter, here are two hosts who love their jobs and man, it makes for a shit hot experience as a punter, I didn't want to leave. And the cocktails. We'd been slugging booze for the last 4 hours and these still blew us put of our pants and into something more delicious - a White Negroni and a Smoky Bacon Old Fashioned are my new favourite tipples (see you in hell, whisky sour, your services are no longer required). Classy, romantic, fun, fabulous, and everything in between. Best. read more

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I really liked this place. It's a bit tucked away in the back Darlinghurst Rd. Our group was instantly greeted by a friendly server and shown our seats. The menu is a bit weird. Not in the contents, but in the way it's laid out. I had, earlier that night, gone online to see what their cocktail menu looked like. Their online menu is just as weirdly laid out as the physical one at the bar. Basically, there are only 2 - 4 cocktails per page. It also didn't seem ordered in any specific way, and so it was hard to look for something, even if you knew what you felt like. For example, if you wanted a drink with Gin, it's not like there was a Gin section. So, no matter what, you had to flip through the entire set of pages. I would have liked to see the menu a bit more functional. The cocktails were very good though, although a bit expensive. Although the liquid nitrogen is cool, $20 for a standard dirty vodka martini is a tiny bit much. And that's one of the cheapest drinks you'll find there. Then again, I guess you're paying for the ambiance. For my second round, I let the server suggest something for me. After I told him that my standards were Manhattans and the like, he suggested a Brooklyn to me, which was a bit like a Manhattan. It was very good and I was happy. I guess that's all you can ask for, right? For a place to come with friends to just sit and relax and enjoy a good cocktail, I highly recommend this place. read more

Eau de Vie - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

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Really loved the 20's speakeasy vibe here and my cocktail was amazing! Absolutely amazing! The Eastside Peach. I am not even exagerrating one bit when I tell you it was a minty peachy melody in my mouth, with notes of honey wafting around and I was in heaven drinking it. I really was. Goddamn $20 cocktails! They will be my undoing. This one was definitely worth it. I'm dying to try everything else, too. Its perfectly hidden all the way at the back of the hotel, and bit tricky to find from the street, but that's the point, isn't it? read more

Eau de Vie - eastside peach - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Food/Drinks: 4/5 Service: 3/5 Cleanliness: 4/5 Decor & Style: 3/5 This was a good bar with unique drinks however the ambience was not as good as I thought it would be. Maybe because the service was kinda slow so we didn't stay here long (besides waiting for the service and drinks). I guess I'm comparing this place to other speakeasy's in Sydney and this was wasn't as good however overall I'd still rate it a 4/5 because if they had one in my hometown I would love it! lol. read more

Fantastic little cocktail bar hidden behind the kirketon hotel, with a amazing vibe. This little gem as a extensive cocktail list, with clearly experienced mixologists who have created a creative and unique menu. Wonderful service and a absolute must for cocktail lovers who like to try something different with awesome presentation and theatrics to compliment it all. read more

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This place makes cool look weak. This place is HOT! You first step inside this really dark room and for a second you feel like your in the red district of Amsterdam. Then you notice a big wood table in the middle of the room and behind the bar is chemist glassware and strange looking barware that they use to serve fun drinks in. I ordered a Cosmo type of drink that was served inside a glass boot. This was a hoot. A few others had their drinks served in copper cups or other interesting glassware. All our drinks were super. The bartender really makes you feel like your in an unique place and time. Its a bit $$$ but its worth the experience even if you only have one drink and move along. I would highly recommend this place for something different, unique and super cool. Something you will never forget. read more

Eau de Vie - Cosmo from a glass boot. - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Beautiful cocktail lounge tucked in at the back of the The Kirketon Hotel. If you'd like to experience a classy venue in Sydney for a awesome cocktail this is the place to check out. I went there around 9pm on a Tuesday night and the place was comfortably full. My 9:30pm it started to be standing room only. The staff were incredibly nice and professional and knew their stuff. I tried the Honey Glazed Old Fashioned, which was amazing. read more

Eau de Vie - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Well aren't your fancy with your cocktails? Standard drinks wont suit you - you're a person of class and you like to have a fling with the finest! I like your style and that's why I'm recommending Eau- de- Vie (Water of life/ also a name of a fruit brandy apparently) This gorgeous bar is tres chic - this is not a place you come to get picked up this is a place to swan around in and be seen. They're most popular for their cocktails and let me tell you if you stop by here you should try them! In fact they've won a gazillion awards for them - expect your cocktails to be on fire, served in tea pots or sided with Turkish delight - this is no ordinary bar. Relying on reputation you need someone to tell you about this secret space as its hidden in the of the Kirketon - no signage needed.... If you like class in a glass this is the place for you! read more

Eau de Vie - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Coming from Melbourne's Eau De Vie, I had hopes of on par drinks and service. Well as friendly the staff was (above and beyond in fact), the drinks just did not cut it Out of three drinks, only 1 (the first) was barely upto quality were as the next 2 were complete disappointments. With each order, said service came back each time with a excuse of quality. Understandable if a single drink but in total of 4 drinks had to be explained was the decision made for us to leave. Granted we received 50% off the bill but by reputation alone, I was warned by word of mouth away. Sorry but maybe this place had "it", now it's the same as any place anyone can walk passed in. read more

Eau de Vie - Yuzu Mule & Whiskey Sour - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Amazing bar with great atmosphere. Great selection of cocktails, all of which are served as pieces of art. -1 star due to chef's behavior. When we tried to order oysters chef told our waiter that there were no oysters left. But when his girlfriend arrived an hour later with her friends they magically appeared on their table. read more

I hate to be the first to rain on the Eau De Vie parade, but someone has to bring the rating back to Earth. Eau De Vie was número UNO on my list of places to go when I arrived in Sydney, so it's with great regret for me to write an average review. I fortunately made friends with some spectacular Sydneysiders who invited me to a night here, so my cocktail fantasy was quick to be fulfilled. The menu is extensive and the cocktails are great, but I don't think they are superb. A bit overpriced for such a puny little drink. I just have a hard time believing in the great land of Oz with a plethora of fabulous bars and pubs that this place is the best of the best. All ingredients are fresh and the cocktails are completely original, but really, $18 for a half of a martini glass of libations? I though it was just me as I can get extremely similar drinks in the states for $5 happy hour, $10 tops, but my Sydney companions were the first to start complaining. C'est la vie Eau De Vie. read more

I have to give this place a low rating, not bc I have been there but bc someone needs to update their Google searches and website. This place shows it is open when on certain days it is closed. Makes is very frustrating to arrive and pay Uber when they are not even open. It is not hard to update page and let customers know you are closed!!! read more

Surprised as hell by being here late at night after having been wined-and-dined by my ex-pat best-friend. Whoa what a place! Speak-easy is right. The bar staff are HOT as are the drinks they serve! Well.. actually cold, the drinks are cold. But they are wonderful! As is the ambiance, the atmosphere, the decor, the crowd. Everything. The only thing stopping me giving this place five stars is that I haven't yet been back to fully immerse myself in the experience, but I'm looking forward to doing so very very soon! Oh and the Japanese labeled whisky bottles on the top shelf of the bar? thousands of thousands of dollars there people. And displayed so nochelantly. Now that is sheer class. read more

We found this bar on a walking whim whilst waiting for a dinner reservation to come to time. This hidden bar was located inside the kirketon and according to receptionist "at the very end of the hallway". You step in here and you've entered into French American boudoir style intimacy. The setting inside is a mixture of tall bar stool & plush couches seating with dim lighting. We were directed to the shared couches immediately. They're very comfy and not as crowded as one would think due to the proximity to others. Lord knows I love cocktail bars so when we were handed an extensive cocktail menu, I was like, yearh. My philosophy is you can't visit a cocktail bar and not try something new, never go for the known! With that in mind, I went for the blueberry pancake soda and my partner got the contender. Give the menu more than a flick, because it truly is inventive and lengthy, so you should give yourself time to make your selection(s). I choose mine because it had "mini icecream" in the description...like whaat, really? That I gotta see. When they brought my cocktail out my stranger neighbours were intrigued enough to inquire the name so they could order one also. I appreciate the effort put into the drinks, decor and atmosphere, it was a very pleasant experience albeit short for us as it was only intended for some aperitifs. However now that we've been, we'll be happy to return ! read more

Eau de Vie - The Contender - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

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EDV is the awesome Sydney offshoot of the original Melbourne haunt. The drinks are so well thought out, and skillfully prepared. My personal favorite (favourite?) is the Ron Zacapa Blazer (page 7 in the cocktail menu). Reese was my bartender, and even though he was very focused on making drinks, he still made time to chat with me and the others seated at the bar. Yes, this place is famous, and as such, draws tourists. Unfortunately in today's age, no place can stay secret for too long. But I still think it's worth a visit. I felt very much at home in NYC being in the dark, sexy bar, and it was cool to visit this one after having been in the original in Melbourne location a few days before. I even met Hayden (Woody) Woods here - look him up! He's a world famous "flair" bartender! read more

Eau de Vie, meaning 'water of life' is a pretty amazing cocktail bar, and it's one of my firm favourites. The Darlinghurst bar has won countless awards, since its opening in January 2010, and has well and truly cemented its spot as one of the hottest cocktail bars in Sydney. And, for good reason. This is a bar, you need to know about. It's located inside the Kirketon Hotel. If you didn't know better, you would never realise the oasis waiting for you inside. And, poor you, if that is the case. But, fear not. Consider yourself now in the know (if you are not already). You can thank me later. Walk through the hotel entrance, past the bar on your right hand side, and towards the unmarked black glass doors. Walk down the corridor, past the bathrooms and enter Eau de Vie. This is a sophisticated speakeasy, full of class, with a 1930s feel. Think dark lighting, ornate lamps and plush couches. Jazz music is playing, and the bartenders (all men) are dressed with bracers and bow-ties, complete with gelled hair. The cocktail menu reads like a novel, with entertaining descriptions and caricatures of the creators of their signature cocktails. I laugh as I recognise from his caricature, award winning bartender 'Max Greco', the creator of 'The Contender', which we would later order. To compliment their cocktail menu, a food menu is offered, comprising canapes, dishes designed to share, cheese boards and the like. Now, on to the drinks... The barmen take their drinks very seriously here. You get the feeling they view cocktail making as an art form. I find watching the preparation of the cocktails quite entertaining. It's a well oiled machine, and though the bar is busy, everything works seamlessly. Mr B and I are unsure what cocktail to order, so we have a conversation with our friendly barman, Ian. Ian determines our favourite spirits, our preference for sweet or sour, and gets a feel for our individual tastes. He then recommends a drink for each of us, neither of which are on their extensive cocktail menu. My drink is an 'Army & Navy'. It's made with Hayman's Old Tom Gin, lemon juice, orgeat (an almond syrup) and bitters. The barmen are more than happy to share with you their in depth cocktail knowledge, and as my drink is prepared, I learn 'Hayman's' is the brand of gin, and 'Old Tom' is the style. My drink is delicious and I'm impressed with the recommendation. Mr B's recommended drink is a 'Casino'. Made with gin, lemon juice, Luxardo maraschino and orange bitters. Mr B is indeed pleased with his drink, as well he should be. At this point, our friend, Ms E arrives, doesn't bother looking at the cocktail menu, simply points to a drink being prepared for another customer and says 'I'll have one of those'. Turns out it's Max Greco's 'The Contender'. Strawberry infused Tanquarey gin, honey, mandarin and rosemary syrup, shaken with lemon juice. I hear it was delicious, and it certainly looked a treat. Incidentally, a rather funny situation arises when Ms E requests a straw for her cocktail. Seems this is a big no-no. A straw is placed in her drink, swiftly removed by a barman, replaced in her drink again (at Ms E's request), and finally, cheekily removed by the one and only Max Greco, who is clearly not happy to see his drink served with a straw. Seems this drink is served sans straw, so don't even bother asking. I did say these people were serious about their drinks. The drinks are finished far too quickly. Soon, it's time for another. This time our barman Ian, who now knows I am writing this story, suggests we should try a cocktail from their menu. My suggested drink is a 'Crusta Reserve'. Described on the menu as 'A tropical twist on a flavoured classic. Pampero rum, shaken with lemon, pineapple and maraschino. Served up with much fanfare and sporting an almond sugar rim'. It's good, and I particularly enjoy the sugar rim, even if the sugar grains do stick to my lipgloss! Mr B is served 'The Aviator'. Described as 'House made rhubarb and juniper puree, shaken with a replica Zeppelin shaker, with Tanquarey gin, fresh lemon and a drop of maraschino. Simple sophistication'. Another winner. Soon, our hunger sets in, and we regrettably leave our comfortable seats at the bar, in search of sustenance of the edible kind. If you haven't visited Eau de Vie, make a point to check it out soon. This is a bar you will find yourself returning to time, and time again. This is what life is all about. This place really is the 'water of life'. At least for me. read more

A little hard to find (even my colleague who was taking us there couldn't remember where it was), Eau De Vie is a lovely craft cocktail bar in the Darlinghurst district of Sydney. It's tucked away down the hall from a hotel lobby. Once inside, it has the dark moodiness one expects from a speakeasy-style bar. Service is impeccable, with the kind of practiced restraint usually seen in fine dinning establishments. After being greeted and seated, the rather impressive cocktail list is presented. It's organized by flavor profile, which is an enormously helpful concept. If strong drinks are your preference, turn to the Stonemason page. If you prefer citrusy drinks, try what's on the Stevedore page. There really is something for every taste here. Not really sure what you want? You can sample from the tried-and-true selection on the Favourites list or ask the barman to create something for you. During my visit, I enjoyed the HIghlander Sazarac (Apricot and raisin infused Highland whiskies stirred with quick dashes of quince liqueur and Peychaud's bitters) and the Smokey Rob Roy (Owner Sven Almenning's signature drink. A fierce mix of Talisker and Lagavulin single malt whiskies, cigar infused Zacapa rum, vermouth and orange bitters. Served under a cloud of wood smoke). If whisk(e)y is more your thing, Eau De Vie doesn't disappoint. While the list tends more toward single malt Scotch, there is also a healthy variety of local whiskies, as well as those from Japan, Ireland and the US. The night we went it was not terribly busy and got seats straight away. However, you can see how this place could get quite busy. Reservations can be made, though. Bear in mind, this is a pricey place, with most drinks in the AUS$18-24 range. But if you are a fan of well made cocktails and are in Sydney, definitely give Eau De Vie a try. read more

This is a very cute bar with a bit of a retro Speakeasy feeling to it. The cocktail list is interesting and unique, but I do wish the menu was a bit more legible and better laid out. It helped that the waiter was very knowledgable. It is hidden away a little, and it was odd that you had to go through a door labelled restrooms to get there. It would have been more fitting to have a big heavy door with a peephole and a whispered password. Prices did seem a little outrageous. read more

Nusty waiter and un friendly approach We came and the waiter said he has no chairs and than he sat another couple that came it. Too much attitude and to much bad vibes read more

You should go here. The cocktail list is extensive. The place as a lovely vibe. The layout is perfect. The bartenders are well versed. The crowd was delightful. I may have been a little lucky in that when I rocked up, already rather sauced, I made friends at the bar with a group of people whose friend had just recently passed the bar exam, so they were happy to shout drinks. I may have taken advantage somewhat and used it to taste a couple of their numbers, they were delicious! The back room with around-the-wall couches was a perfect setting and is excellent for parking yourself. read more

This place does expensive cocktails, but generally they are worth their price tag. Notably, I recently had their flaming whiskey sour - the waitress brought it out in a separate container, heated it up, lit it on fire, and poured it into a separate glass. The heat made it a very different taste, but I enjoyed it. It is pretty hard to find, on Darlinghurst Rd near Kings Cross. It is in the back of the building, and when I entered on a Tuesday night, I thought it was closed because I didn't hear anything back there. When I arrived, I realised it was in fact open, but there were only a couple other groups there. I guess Tuesdays wouldn't be their busiest days. Eau De Vie also recently won best cocktail bar in Time Out Sydney. read more

Not sure I can agree with the hype. Certainly not a bad place... Good people and good atmosphere. But don't go out of your way. So... Firstly it feels pretentious. That sucks. Is it their fault? Maybe. Maybe not. Secondly... The drinks. Flare? Yeah! Flame? Yeah! Looks cool?? Hell yeah!!! Look presentation in the preparation is simply awesome!! But... Good tasting and taste considered? No not from what I experienced. Boring flavor, insane cost, not much going on under the surface even though the making of the drink is quite amazing. For all that flare shouldn't you actually TASTE the burnt wood or the fruit? Well... Here you don't. I tried 4 cocktails... All the same issue. The menu sounds nice... But does not deliver. That said, if you are used to crappy run of the mill drinks and are still in college, you may like it. But man the cost!! Want to impress on flare? Go here. Want a decent ambience? Check! Want good cocktails with creativity and taste details? Pass. Go somewhere else. read more

Ever walked past the Kirketon Hotel on Darlinghurst Road? Like most, you probably wouldn't have given it a second glance - and that's the beauty of Eau de Vie, the speakeasy style cocktail bar located behind the lobby. It's a dark and sexy sort of place where the lengthy bar is the focal point for guests who take to the leather lounges on the opposite wall. Friends had been raving about how absolutely amazing the cocktails are here, and a group of us ended up there one Saturday night. The bartenders were super friendly, armed with a range of specialist vintage beverage-making contraptions, and even offered to tailor make a cocktail for us based on our spirit of choice - gin. While I really appreciated the effort involved, the resulting mega-cocktail served in a giant porcelain teapot tasted distinctly like Berocca, but without the fizz. Perhaps my palate is uneducated when it comes to mixology - I'll definitely be back for another round soon. read more

A very cosy and different approach to a cocktail bar, toilets are hard to find especially after a cocktail or two. Seating was not an issue, as the staff kindly move patrons around and make sure everyone is attended to (our group went from 6 - 15 in a mater of 1 hour and we all had a seat / drink resting spot) Cocktails with flare and charm and the odd paper plane or even fairy floss are amongst the mix here. If you do ask for a beer be prepared to be frowned upon, which is why I can only give 3 stars. Prices are the normal but I still think over $20 for a cocktail is a bit much read more

4 stars: Eau de vie cocktails are great not 5... Why ? The space is so busy and not comfortable read more

I was blown away by the experience! Its a must-visit if you like craft cocktails. Its tough to find - you'll need to walk through an empty hotel lobby, past the super-dark restrooms. Once you're there, you're in for a treat! Cocktails are a craft here - a lot of thought (and a million ingredients) go into each one. The menu is a small book organized by flavour profiles - each description sounds better than the next. There are no ordinary drinks here - martinis are cooled with nitrogen, other drinks arrive flaming, smoking, or garnished with candy. The staff were all friendly and not at all pretentious. Drinks were $17-$24, which really seemed about the same as most other bars, but these cocktails were far better than anything I had tasted elsewhere. And it didn't take terribly long to get them, which is surprising given their complexity! read more

Top end cocktail bar in the heart of Darlinghurst. I loved standing at the bar searching through the decadent hardcover cocktail lists there are exquisite names for these delicately mixed whisky cocktails. I found they were high end in quality and price but worth it for a bit of fun. The atmosphere was dark inside and the seating plan encourages mixing and mingling. The hours really flew by amidst the frivolity.You'd definitely want to be seen looking your best. Photos from the big nights at this bar are seen amongst the social pages of the Sun Herald and other local press. read more

Eau de Vie - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Ever been to Eau De Vie? I paid them a visit just recently and I know for sure that I'd be coming back. A lot, if not all of their guests may have the same thoughts about this awesome venue because its recently been voted as one of Sydney's best small bars by Time Out Sydney. Great cocktails, wonderful service, and luxurious décor and feel - this is what I associate with Eau De Vie. For me, the Yuzu Mule won my personal award for the best drink (the Martini was very close competition!). Eau De Vie offers exquisite mixes in very nice glassware - every drink they serve is like a work of art. Eau De Vie is open every day. Monday to Saturday from 6pm til 1am and 6pm til midnight on Sundays. read more

Eau de Vie - The beautiful Whisky Room. Image courtesy of Eau De View (Used with permission) - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

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This place was a pretty well-kept secret if you ask me. I only discovered its existence a couple weeks ago. Secretly situated behind the foyer reception of the Kirketon Hotel, it's no wonder why. Apparently there used to be double doors hiding this little haven and you had to navigate your way through the kitchen just to get here - but it's all these secrets and gossip about its history that makes this place exciting. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is lively and contagious, you feel like you've entered a naughty underground bar during the 1920s prohibition. Savour the feeling and order yourself one of their fun cocktails - they pay homage to the old classics and do justice to the new with their gastronomic creations. Then, cocktail in hand, have a lounge about in the dimly lit seating area, the long communal bar (recycled from a gigantic old-fashioned door) and take advantage of a night in the life of... well, whoever you want to be. read more

Expensive but the cocktails were creative and some were delicious Pros: -I liked Kitty Cocobongo and the Yuzu Mule. -The interiors and background music is nice. Cons: -They add a 10% service charge, which I had no idea they did! That adds up to up to $15 if you order around 7 cocktails like we did! -I hated Ocean Side. It tasted like soap water or a mouthful of ocean water. Disgusting. -If you order the Colonels Pearl, which I also disliked, the Pearl is one massive block of ice on top of the glass, accounting for 35% of the whole drink. -I also disliked Marshmallow Fizz but my friend liked it. -The place gets packed so sometimes you have to be standing inside. read more

I love the hole in the wall type feel of this place, it made it all the more exciting when we finally found it. They have an interesting and unique cocktail selection that didn't disappoint. However, it was very unfortunate that our experience was tainted by a nasty waiter who was extremely condescending to myself and my friends. Seems to be a pattern in other reviews. Disappointing. read more

Eau De Vie is just crawling with cool. First nod to awesome: having to traipse through another restaurant to get it it, making it feel like a hard earned discovery. Second: having a cocktail menu that sings to you with intricacy and definition. Third: having bartenders that seem to know your tastes inside and out. Ok, I will linger on the third point further. I sank into the dark, soft cushions of Eau De Vie's sofa and felt a little lost in the menu. The bartender strolled on over (because these guys all stroll, or float). He looked me in the eyes and seemed to get it. This cocktail mind-reader knew my history like it was his own and his eyes revealed all. He knew that I had first drank cranberry vodka when I was 15; that I had puked after too many tequila shots in vegas in 2009 and now can't look at the stuff; that I have a deep-seeded fondness for Belgian beer after taking a Belgian lover, and mostly, that I love bourbon because it makes me feel scrappy and tastes like my favorite grandpa smelled. The bartender scraped all this information out of my soul, winked and headed back to his bottles. A mere few minutes later he returned with something that I can only describe as pure perfection. It was kinda like an Old Fashioned and a Sazerac had a little baby, and the Manhattan was it's secret illegitimate father. I fell in love with the intriguing Eau De Vie that very instant. It's no secret this is Sydney's new hot bar. read more

Enjoyed the speakeasy vibe, and the music was good, but the staff didn't want to open up the second room once the first one filled out. The drinks were really just super expensive concoctions of your standard mixer drinks, missing out on flavour and complexity. Nothing at all like the speakeasy places I've visited before, lacking in service, quality and a properly technical drinks menu to justify the price. read more

Always a nice atmosphere here, the staff a friendly and provide great service. The drinks are absolutely amazing. If you're a cocktail fan then this should be on your list of favourites in Sydney read more

Think New York 1920s underground. Discretely hidden at the back of the Kirkton Hotel like a hidden treasure, Eau de Vie is sophisticated, elegant, speakeasy... and there should be far more of this sort of thing in Sydney. In fact, I experienced an underground bar last year in NYC that could be Eau de Vie's twin sister. Antique crystal glassware accompanies most drinks. Vodka mules (served in pewter mugs) have serious ginger kick and it's hard to stop at one. $17 seems far too cheap given the love that goes into each mix. Seasoned mixologists seriously know their stuff and they look the part in dapper dress code. Cocktails served up with theatrical fanfare include the deconstructed dirty martini delivered with dry ice. he Eau de Vie Dark and Stormy -Havana club especial, bespoke ginger beer, a house blend of spice rum and other "secret ingredients" $16.50. An endless stream of accolades includes Australia's Bar of the Year 2011 at the Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards; New Bar of the Year 2010 at the Australian Bar Awards; Cocktail Bar of the Year and New Bar of the Year 2011 at Time Out Sydney Bar Awards. Transport to another era any night of the week, but expect to compete with crowds come the weekend. read more

Eau de Vie - Wine Bars Near Me - Darlinghurst, NSW

Eau De-VINE! I love this place. Fabulous cocktails and delicious food in a classy setting. The staff are friendly, funny and attentive. The last time I visited, there was a slight mix up with our order of drinks (which was not a big deal at all) however, the gentleman who was serving us was extremely apologetic and gave us that round of drinks on the house as well as 2 complimentary cocktails, you can't beat that for service! read more

Ambient 20's atmosphere hidden inside the Kirketon (dont miss it - enter through the lobby and head straight thru past the toilets) exhibits posh sophisticated style and funmatched class. Christian mixes fine delicacies hand crafted from a mixologists wizards cookbook while Taka's speed and style are only outmatched by his charm and personality. Visit here if you want to see only the best and finest Sydney has to offer. You wont be dissatisfied. read more

I love good craft cocktails. For some reason, craft cocktails have become entwined with the speakeasy format--which adds an element of fun. To my surprise, Sydney is an epicenter of the speakeasy movement, and none are better than Eau de Vie. I put them in a class with the best in NYC (Angel's Share, Death & Co, PDT). If you just want a standard cocktail, of course, you will be unimpressed: a standard Manhattan is a standard Manhattan. But if you want something new and well-thought out, this is the place. Is there anything better than a well-made Negroni? Yes: EdV's Cold Drip Negroni, which adds coffee to the mix. (I was skeptical, but it adds a whole new dimension to the drink, without sacrificing the factors that made the original great.) They also have carefully crafted bar-made ingredients. Dehydrated Campari with sugar for glass rims? You betcha. There is such diversity in their menu and in the slant of each drink that it would be easy to get a drink that didn't suit you. Fortunately, the servers are great at talking with you to get you into the right region. When you find the one that fits, its like you've plugged into a socket. If you appreciate the nuances of cocktails, this is the place for you. It's a world-class bar working with cutting-edge techniques. Thank god it's in Sydney; if it were in New York, it would be impossible to get in. read more

Pros: nice decor and setting and some of the drinks looked cool albeit gimmicky. First waiter who sat us down was nice and explained the menu to us, however we were the served by a female waiter who was fairly rude the whole way through. Demanded my credit card before we even got our first drinks, and was rude when closing the tab. Drinks that we received were also very very average for such a "high caliber" cocktail bar. Been to way better cocktail lounges in my time. Wouldn't recommend. read more