This April, one of Melbourne’s favourite laneway bars is taking up residence at Sydney’s most iconic beach thanks to Bacardi-Martini Australia.
On Thursday, 31st of March (later than anticipated thanks to COVID-19) Bar Americano will make its way to Sydney for a month-long residency at Icebergs. The idea was sparked after a night out in Venice and perhaps a few too many Negronis (is there such a thing?). It was here that Maurice Terini (Icebergs, Sydney) and Matthew Bax (Bar Americano, Melbourne) had a creative vision of a bar within a bar, and it’s finally coming to life this Autumn.
In Melbourne, Bar Americano is known for its intimate atmosphere, hosting only 10 people at a time. The Sydney outpost will follow suit with space for only seven seated guests, or 10 standing, which means you’re going to want to get in quick to book a table for you and your besties.
History dictates that when Icebergs commits to doing something, it does it well, and the Bar Americano pop-up will be no different. Prepare to be impressed as the pop-up is being brought to life by Bacardi-Martini. Expect cocktails made from their leading spirit brands including Tequila Patrón, Grey Goose Vodka and Bombay Sapphire Gin.
This is the type of place that doesn’t do a lot of things, but what it does, it does well. The creative cocktail menu is small but mighty, which is to be expected from visual artist, bartender and Bar Americano founder, Matthew Bax. Broken down into four categories, you can choose from spice, sweet, sour or dry.
Those with a sweet tooth will find it hard to choose between the Bombolone made with House Patron Limoncello, Amaro Americano, Italian Aperitivi, and fresh lemon, or the No. 8 Mimosa with Fermented Ruby Red Grapefruit, House Grapefruitchello, Italian Bitters, Grey Goose Vodka. Both are charged with icy DOC Prosecco making them super refreshing.
For something with a little bit of spice, you’ll want to try the Americano, which the team claims trumps a classic Negroni. It’s made up of a sweet symphony between Italian Martini and House Vermouths, Northern Italian Aperitivi and a refreshing twist of citrus. But for us, the favourite lies in the sour category. Less is more when it comes to The Aviation which has a perfect blend of Bombay Sapphire Gin, fresh lemon and perfumed aromatic cherry.
The food menu is all but a simple list of exceptional snacks, but it’s the perfect accompaniment to the bar’s impeccable libations. Nibble on pecorino, olives, wasabi melon, wagyu bresaola, smoked bacala, salmon roe cruller and bombolone with beef fat caramel.
The Bar Americano pop-up at Icebergs is going to become the must-visit destination of Autumn. You don’t want to miss out on this one!
Details
Catch Bar Americano at Icebergs Bar (1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach) from 31st March – 1st of May.
2.00pm – 3.30pm – Friday, Saturday, Sunday
4.00pm – 5.30pm – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
6.00pm – 7.30pm – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
8.00pm – 9.30pm – Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Pre-book your session here.