In spite of growing numbers of small bars in Newtown, Kuleto’s is still a firm favourite for one simple reason: two-for-one cocktails. Uni kids taking their first tentative steps into the cocktail world come here to test the waters with sweet, brightly coloured concoctions that go down easy, and on a Friday night the nine-to-fivers cram into the dark front bar and up onto the balcony to get their night rolling with a few glasses of Jungle Juice. This is not the place for subtle flavours and finicky details. The 35-strong cocktail list is divided into six categories – creamy, sweet, sweet and sour, classics and muddled – as well as a shots list. If you are feeling adventurous the Red Corvette is a popular sweet choice – fresh strawberries, melon liqueur, Frangelico and grenadine – or if you are after something more refreshing the Mojito and the Negroni sit much lower on the sugar scale. As it's open until quite late and with a happy hour six out of seven days, things can get a little rowdy at Kuleto’s. There isn’t much in the way of food available, but's that's an easy fix, with Istanbul on King right next door providing late-night kebabs and pides.
