Cuckoo Cocktail Emporium

Overview

Cuckoo Cocktail Emporium puts a whimsical spin on kitsch, to an extent that makes me wonder if the owners are Grandma McGarvey’s grandchildren.

The furniture is of the ilk that inexplicably turns up at the family bach down the coast. A chair from Uncle Rob’s garage, grandad’s reading lamp, and your mum’s old coffee table from when she was at uni all combine to create an inviting and recognisable lounge scene, even if you’ve never been there before. Doubtless, the furniture have stories to tell. With multiple miniature lounge settings, Cuckoo is ideal for both group outings and more intimate rendezvous.

Their cocktail menu is delicious, and the Gin Gimminy and Vodka Twist - with tasty passionfruit goodness, exceeded all expectations that one may have of a bar that calls itself a cocktail emporium. The bar menu includes pizzas ($28) from One Red Dog next door, as well as the standards fries and tasty morsels to keep you going. Word on the street is that their coffee is top notch, but we'll have to come back another time to verify that one.

The staff were friendly, and brought our drinks to our table without having to give us a number, which I found pretty impressive given how busy it was on a Thursday evening. The bar was filled with patrons as eclectic as the furniture. While suits seeking fivesies seemed to dominate on this particular evening, groups of backpackers and a few student-y looking types were making good use of the pool table and board game collection.

Oh, and if it’s simply too hard to bear the thought of leaving the high backed green velvet chair behind, never fear, all the furniture’s actually for sale.