⭐⭐⭐⭐
Zephyr Bar is an upmarket bar on the 12th floor of the Hyatt Regency in Sussex Street. Open and airy, it has great views over Darling Harbour.
On a Friday night it’s a mix of people in their suits who’ve come for an after work drink and those that have dressed up to come into the city for a big night out.
You can book a table in advance and if you are planning on heading there on a Friday or Saturday night, it’s definitely advisable.
The emphasis is on cocktails, with the cocktail menu running to 6 pages. It includes some imaginative twists on classics, such as Salted Coconut Espresso, Passionfruit Mojito, Blood Orange Margarita and Pink Grapefruit Martini.
There is a page of the bar’s own signature creations, as well as a page dedicated to Soft Serve Icecream cocktails. These are definitely cocktails which can’t quite make up their mind whether they are desserts or drinks.
My friend orders the Berry Mix (pictured above) which consists of raspberry gin, raspberry liqueur, strawberry puree, blueberry, lime juice, served over vanilla soft serve ice cream in a martini chiller glass with fresh raspberry and popping candy.
Even though she has a very sweet tooth she’s not quite sure she is a fan. So definitely not one to order if your usual cocktail is a margarita or something else sour. Apart from that the other cocktails we tried were all pretty good.
There’s a reasonable wine list, with 5 whites and 5 reds by the glass plus some bubbles and a rose. Prices aren’t cheap, most of the glasses are $17-20 and the bottles $75 and upwards, but that’s expected given it’s in a 5 star hotel and there’s table service. You are actively discouraged from heading to the bar yourself, but expect a long wait to attract a waitress’ attention and an even longer wait for your drinks.
If you find yourself staying longer than you intended, there is a selection of bar snacks available, which run the gauntlet from healthy (fresh oysters and sashimi) to something to soak up the alcohol (chicken karaage, soft shell crab tacos and tempura prawns).
Overall verdict, if you want somewhere upmarket with a view where you can easily while away a few hours, here is the place to be. If what you’re after is a seriously good cocktails with great service and don’t plan to linger (as it’s standing room only, no seating), head instead a block or so up the road to Cantina OK!:
Hyatt Regency Sydney
Level 12
161 Sussex St
Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 8099 1234
Monday – Thursday: 4pm to late
Friday – Sunday: 12pm to late