Overview
Birthdays, promotions, securing a second date — on any given week in Sydney, there's plenty to celebrate, even the end of the week itself. But with so much cause for celebration — warranted or not — it's hard to know where to go, and more distressingly, for your wallet to keep up. Luckily Merivale has our backs this June with its Bottoms Up special offering 49 percent off all booze at 37 of its venues between 5–7pm. Having essentially turned every day into a special occasion, we caught up with the hospitality giant to help you decide where to indulge without emptying your wallet, every day of the week.
MONDAY PICK-ME-UP AT FELIX
Often making it through Monday can seem like a feat in itself. But rather than dealing with the reality of a full week ahead, escape to Paris — or one of the closest ways you'll get to it on a Monday night. No airfare needed, Felix's Prix Fixe menu featuring two courses for $50 and three courses for $60 between 5.30–6.30pm — means you can ease into the week à la Parisian. And given that it's Monday and you should treat yourself, head to the restaurant's bar first to take to the wine list with gusto, knowing that every drop under $200 is 49% off. Curated by master sommelier Franck Moreau, the list features some fine European drops including the crisp 2015 Domaine Dirler-Cadé Alsace riesling ($8.16 by the glass, down from $16), the complex 2013 Domaine Elodie Balme Rasteau southern Rhône Grenache blend ($11.22 by the glass, down from $22) and for something lighter, a 1997 Beaujolais Gamay ($18.87 by the glass, down from $37 and poured with Coravin) — which may sound steep for a glass of wine, but if you think about it, that wine was made when you were still watching Cheez TV. After a glass or two, sit down in the restaurant for the twice-baked gruyère souffle and rich Valrhona chocolate and hazelnut tart — a perfect pick-me-up for a chilly Monday night.
TUESDAY WORK WIN CELEBRATION AT EL LOCO
It's hard to imagine a better way to celebrate a win at work than with margaritas under $10. Well, actually throw in $5 glasses of Chandon, and you've done yourself one better. This June, you could shout your whole team a round of celebratory $7.65 margaritas and $5 sparkling, and your wallet would still come out unscathed. With wall-to-wall colour, good tunes and a sweet outdoor area, El Loco at the Slip Inn is the definition of festive, and the perfect place for a cheeky mid-week celebration. Add a platter of tacos (3 for $21), a couple quesadillas ($10 each) and the supreme nachos ($22) to share, and your Mexican fiesta is complete.
WEDNESDAY HUMP DAY DRINKS AT MS.G'S
Once you've conquered hump day, it's really only a hop, skip and a jump to the weekend. So, kick-off the start of the end of the week at Ms.G's. A den of iniquity in the best way, this Potts Point eatery and bar doesn't take itself too seriously and is all about having a good time — the perfect place to be when your booze budget is going the extra mile. Start your night in the bar with something fruity, sweet and a little surprising, like the Don't Lychee Me with gin, lychee, lime, rose, plum sake and pops of lychee pearls ($8.16, down from $16). If you prefer your drinks to have a bit more punch, order the Mr Miyagi with gin, sake, peach liqueur and a lemon twist ($9.18, down from $18). And if you need a bit of a feed with your drinks, opt for a serving of cheeseburger spring rolls ($6 each), Chiang Mai gyoza with spicy pork filling ($16) and burrata in "strange flavour style" with sesame sauce, chilli oil, spinach and peanuts ($22).
THURSDAY PRE-GIG BEVS AND SNACKS AT QUEENS HOTEL
Before any gig, you need a couple of brews and a quick bite to eat. But it doesn't need to just be a pit stop before the main event. If you've got a gig at the Enmore, the Queens Hotel will be an impressive supporting act. Having already shelled out for tickets, you're likely to want to keep things pretty low key (see: cheap), but that doesn't mean you need to go straight for the house drop. During June between 5–7pm, a glass of the 2015 Ciello Bianco Catarratto from Italy will set you back just $6.12, while a James Squire 150 Lashes is only going to cost you $4.33. Even if you up the ante and grab a glass of Veuve for $10.20 or the Chow Sour with gin, green apple, rhubarb, mint and aquafaba ($9.18, down from $18), you'll still have plenty left over for snacks — authentic Chinese food served in a pub setting. Don't go past the duck spring rolls ($12), crab crackers ($6) and the steamed dim sum platter if you're sharing with friends ($32).
FRIDAY DATE NIGHT AT PALMER & CO.
Palmer & Co. gives you the opportunity to take your date back in time to the era of bootleggers and sly grog. And when you throw the 49 percent-off happy hour in the mix, you'll (almost) feel like you're actually in the prohibition era with those prices. Tucked underground, the bar exudes the sumptuous glamour and devilish secrecy of the 1920s. But the character and intrigue of this place don't stop at the decor, it extends to flapper dresses and dapper ensembles donned by the staff — and not to mention plenty of grog to go around. Set the scene by ordering your date a Liquid Desires cocktail with gin, pear eau de vie, green chartreuse, ylang-ylang and thyme ($11.73, down from $23) or send a clear message with a Prelude to a Kiss, with tequila, Aperol, grapefruit and rosemary cordial, citrus, egg white and gilded lime ($10.71, down from $21). And if you prefer your booze served neat, now's the perfect time to move a few rungs up the shelf or add a couple of years to your favourite drop.
SATURDAY HANGS WITH OUT-OF-TOWNERS AT BERT'S BAR
Looking for a place that will knock the socks off your visiting mates? Bert's Bar at The Newport is the kind of venue that encapsulates what you struggle to put into words when explaining what makes Sydney so great. In this case, the bar lets the views do the talking for you. At Bert's, you can expect a decadent dining experience that showcases Australian seafood at its best. Pre-dinner, look to the sizeable cocktail menu and 750-strong wine list — the 49 percent off all drinks offer means you can really give your mates a memorable experience. To toast the occasion, start with a round of Moët & Chandon rosé Champagne, then splurge on a bottle of the real deal, like the 2005 Brokenwood 'ILR' reserve semillon from the Hunter for under $90 (down from $175) and the 1999 Yalumba 'The Signature' cabernet which will set you back $96.90 (instead of the regular $190 price tag) between 5–7pm.
SUNDAY LATE LUNCH KICK-ONS AT THE PADDINGTON
It can be difficult to find a casual venue that's also nice enough to take your parents for lunch. The Paddington ticks that box. A smart setting with a warm, vibrant atmosphere, The Paddington is a step above your average local pub. Specialising in rotisserie-cooked meats, your best bet is to share a whole roast chook with gravy, fries and salad ($44), and a rotisserie beef rump cap with Jerusalem artichokes and lightly pickled mushrooms ($42). Add a side of winter leaves with walnuts, goats cheese and roasted beetroot ($24) and some fried polenta ($11), and you're set. Let your Sunday lunch roll into Sunday early evening drinks at The Paddington's bar, and take advantage of the June 49 percent off drink deal. On tap, you'll find the likes of Kosciusko Pale Ale, Little Creatures and Furphy, and the wine list extends well beyond one of each varietal. Here, you can get a carafe of 2014 Argentinian Malbec for $18.36 (down from $36) or a bottle of Burgundy Chablis for $45.90 (down from $90). Rather than letting your rents pick up the bill (for the 100,000th time in your life), take the opportunity to step up and shout the drinks.
Regardless the day of the week or the occasion, take the opportunity to celebrate this June in a manner befitting. Head for 49 percent-off drinks at select Merivale venues every day from 5–7pm.