You'll find some of the city's tippity top tipples a stone's throw from each other, in the beating heart of the CBD
YCK Laneways is a new Sydney precinct centred around York, Clarence and Kent Streets. It's one of the most happening patches of pavement in the Harbour City, and also just so happens to be home to some of the very best bars in town. In conjunction with the YCK Laneways Block Party – a six-week entertainment program celebrating the precinct's launch – 15 bars in the area are teaming up with Bombay Sapphire and Patrón to serve up a special collection of cocktails.
Kicking off Wednesday, April 7, you'll be able to slip into the likes of Esteban and Stitch for dynamite twists on the Margarita after work, kick off some merrymaking at Maybe Sammy's stylish new sibling Sammy Junior for a Jasmine Negroni, or finish the night in front of the fire at the Duke of Clarence with a berry and chocolate Gin Sour. All 15 venues will be offering two additional drinks for the duration of the Block Party, concluding Saturday, May 22, which gives you more than enough time to try them all. Here's what's shaking, and where to get it. Cheers!
Black Betty Had a Child ($19) is a spiced bramble sour of Bombay Bramble (a gin with fresh raspberry and blackberry infusions), spiced syrup, lemon and egg white.
Their Chocolate Margarita ($20) meanwhile sounds weird but works a treat, combining Patrón Reposado Tequila, crème de cacao, lime juice and agave nectar.
I Came in Like a Melon Ball ($19) is pure partytime in the US of A, offering Bombay Sapphire, pomme verte, honeydew and pineapple.
We can see what they are doing with the Tijuana Kiss Me ($20) – a puntastically fresh Margarita-inspired cocktail whose combination of Patrón Tequila, Cointreau, watermelon and grapefruit is delightfully refreshing.
Jasmine Negroni ($18) – Sammy Jr’s favourite Negroni – has a beautiful aroma of Australian jasmine to go with Bombay Sapphire gin, bitters, jasmine and Martini Rosso Vermouth.
Eucalyptus Gimlet ($18) puts a native Australian twist on a Tequila Gimlet with Patrón Silver, mango, eucalyptus and grapefruit bitters.
Inspired by Chinese tea houses, Jasmine Martini ($20) combines jasmine-infused Bombay Sapphire, umeshu plum wine and honey citrus syrup.
Blushing Dragon ($19) is a tall, strong and bitter highball of Patrón Silver Tequila, Campari, lime, agave and blood orange soda.
Long, sweet, sour and aromatic, the Kentiki Warrior ($19) combines Patrón Silver, lime, brown sugar, nutmeg, Angostura and orange bitters.
Laneway Punch ($18) is a refreshing, tall, citrusy glass of Bombay Sapphire, grapefruit, cinnamon and lime.
Quell your fear and loathing with a Plum Diary ($18) – Patrón Silver, Aperol, salted plum and lime.
The fresh fruit flavours of Bombay Bramble join forces with Campari, pineapple almond syrup, grapefruit soda and lime in a Bramblin’ On ($18).
Living up to its name, Pink & Fluffy ($20), a Ramos with a fruity twist, is Bombay Bramble, cream, citrus and cherry.
Wear your Poncho Jesus ($20) with pride – a refreshing and bitter tequila highball of Patrón Silver, grapefruit, Cynar, soda and rosemary.
A Pear Spritz ($19) is a refreshing, sophisticated sipper of Bombay Sapphire, pear syrup, mint, sparkling wine and Montenegro.
Find your thrill on Blueberry Hill ($20), a fruity, smoky Sour with rich berry notes (Bombay Bramble, mezcal, blueberry syrup, fresh lime and egg whites).
A Laneway Old Fashioned ($20) combines Patrón Silver, rosemary and chilli syrup, Angostura bitters and hellfire shrub in a rich, herbaceous, agave-forward drink with a hint of spice.
Celebrate these pleasant autumn nights with an Autumn Nights cocktail ($20) – a dry, fluffy, dark berry and chocolate gin sour (Bombay Bramble, white crème de cacao, fresh lemon, Cocchi Americano, chocolate bitters and egg whites).
The Mocado ($21) is a flipped-up Mojito-Martini hybrid: Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, white vermouth, olive oil and lime emulsion, mint and a dash of egg white.
With house-spiced Bacardi Oro rum, lemon, sugar and Lobo's famous stout vermouth – plus a lick of flame – Lobo's flagship cocktail, Old Grogram ($21), is a Sydney icon. For each one sold during YCK Laneways they are donating $1 to BIPOC charities.
For the tall, bubbly and refreshing 96 Clarence ($20), Burrow Bartenders summertimed the heck out of an El Diablo (Bombay Bramble, St Germain, dry ginger ale).
Shaken hard and served upstanding, a Stargazing ($20) is less a slap in the face and more a nudge in a groovy direction (Bacardi Carta Blanca, roasted green tea hydrosol and green mango juice).
Try a perfectly balanced Bombay Bellissimo ($20) alchemising Bombay Sapphire, elderflower and sparkling wine into pure refreshment.
The name means 'attractive one', and El Guapo ($20) is a comely, zippy, spicy drink of Patrón Silver, cucumber, lime and hot sauce.
Spawn Point’s love of all things Hogwarts is revealed in the Nymphadora ($18), a cocktail of Bombay Sapphire, St Germain, blue pea flower, tonic and lime that is served with a special potion that lets the magic happen.
Or celebrate a PlayStation icon with the Dragon of Dojima ($18) – a yakuza-worthy mix of Patrón Silver, sake and lychee syrup.
Hanging on to the last of summer at all costs, a moreish Bombastic ($20) of Bombay Sapphire, grapefruit, lemon, plum syrup is best enjoyed listening to ’90s RnB.
Or get over your breakup over a Don't Pine for Me ($20) – with Patrón Silver, lime, pineapple and house-spiced syrup, you'll soon be pining for another (geddit?).
Esteban’s twist on a spicy Margarita, Tequila Mockingbird ($21), has gained a cult following. Fresh cucumber with muddled jalapeño add a kick to Patrón Blanco, lemon and agave, perfectly balanced with elderflower.
Wind down after a hard day with a Dragon Spritz ($19). Subtle Dragonfruit is complemented with Patrón Citronage and finished with a dry prosecco to keep the palate clean and ready for another sip.
