Noosa dining: Inside new bar Nudge Nudge Wink Wink

A New York-inspired bar has opened in a blue-chip Noosa beachside suburb with its signature beverage a $101 cocktail, served with oysters and caviar (of course).

A $101 cocktail served with oysters and a bump of caviar is the signature drink at a New York-inspired bar just opened at one of Noosa’s A-list beachfront suburbs.

The pricey beverage has been described as a “potent” concoction by bar owner Samuel Saunders.

It contains two splashes of “high quality” gin, as well as campari, sunset butter and a cocchi storico.

It is the most expensive item on an exclusive drinks menu described as an “experience for the senses”.

Co-owners of Nudge Nudge Wink Wink, Tilly and Sam Saunders. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Nudge Nudge Wink Wink opened in glamour suburb Sunshine Beach three weeks ago and has quietly come onto the radar of its fine dining locals and tourists.

Mr Saunders is one of several co-owners of the swanky 60-seat venue that has transformed what was formerly a doctor’s surgery.

The former Melbourne resident who lived in the United States for nearly 15 years said the Noosa Junction bar would test the alcoholic boundaries of what can and cannot be done.

Co-owner of the bar Tilly Saunders. Photo: Patrick Woods.

He said he handed over the creative license to the bar staff.

Mr Saunders, 48, and his wife Tilly said the bar was unlike any other offering in Noosa or even Australia.

“Our cocktails come in three versions, nudge which pushes the boundaries, wink is what you expect but a bit cheeky and house is standard,” Mr Saunders said.

“And they’re all presented differently with different booze.

“We want it to be theatrical, immersive. Give customers interactions or experiences for all the senses.

“I told the guys to think big, no boundaries and to just go for it.

“So we have all kinds of weird cocktail vessels.”

Inside quirky new cocktail bar at Sunshine Beach called Nudge Nudge Wink Wink. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Mr Saunders was originally from Melbourne but would often holiday with family at Noosa.

The pair came back to Australia due to the pandemic and opted to stay and live in the region.

“We basically took all of our favourite bits and pieces from New York, soho houses, the wine bars, cocktail bars and combined them into one and hoped it would be a hit,” he said.

Mr Saunders said the $101 cocktail, a nudge negroni, came with five main ingredients in a “potent” cocktail for one.

Bar manager Niccolo Fagherazzi has been allowed to let his creative juices flow. Photo: Patrick Woods.

Bar manager Niccolo Fagherazzi said the negroni was served with three royal miyagi oysters each with a “bump” of caviar.

“It’s a little wow package and the major thing is the quality of the gin. But it’s served with theatre and makes for a good night out,” Mr Fagherazzi said.

“We will play around with it to make it elegant and beautiful but also be a bit cheeky too.

“It’s about making people happy and you can feel that here. Everyone is having fun.”

The nudge negroni at a new Sunshine Beach bar Picture: Patrick Woods.

Mr Saunders said the bar had been a little quiet in its opening weekend due to the Omicron wave.

“We have built it for locals and 90 per cent of clients have been from here,” he said.

“Opening in Covid was hard but the past two weekends have been busy, busy, busy, crazy really.

“The support and feedback has been beautiful. So incredible.”