Soda Bar

You know the Golden Sheaf Hotel – hotspot for the Eastern Suburbs set – but tucked away upstairs amid mood lighting and plush wallpaper is the decidedly unshabby Soda. Everything about this suave little cocktail lounge is velvet, from the black-and-white wallpaper to the deep red floor-length curtains. And everyone is attractive, down to the pretty young things behind the bar.

Soda stretches over three small rooms, separated by partitions. It feels a bit like we're hanging out in Marie Antoinette's Eastern Suburbs summer house with the squishy couches, tea light candles, loveseats and gilt mirrors.

Behind the bar sit shiny neat rows of bottles against a giant framed mirror. As we pore over the menu of cocktails (which include usual suspects Mojito, Piña Colada and Margarita), friendly bar staff recommend the London Cherry on our visit – gin, Amaretto and pineapple juice with Maraschino cherry and lime for a sweet $16. And there's always the Bison Pash (vodka, ginger, lime, vanilla, passionfruit) if you're after something a little less serious. If you're hungry, the bistro downstairs offers an olive plate, which can be brought upstairs to share, along with anything else on the menu. Outdoor seating on the terrace and Soda deck is also available.