St George and the Shire’s best cocktails - the complete guide to going out in Sydney’s south
Who’s thirsty? Here is the complete guide to the best cocktails in St George and the Shire. Tell your friends – it’s time to go out.
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Who’s thirsty? The Shire and St George regions are enjoying a foodie revolution and it is filtering right down into Friday night drinks, Saturday nights out and Sunday afternoon sessions. We’ve done the hard work for you. Here’s the St George Shire Standard’s complete guide to the best cocktails in St George and the Shire.
Frank and Blanco, Sutherland
Three words. Toasted. Marshmallow. Margarita. A tantalising taste of Mexico arrived in the heart of Sutherland with bar and restaurant Frank and Blanco. The margarita menu also includes watermelon and coconut margaritas, as well as a passionfruit variety. The signature cocktail list includes utterly unique options such as the In Popcorn We Trust (Herradura Rep, Peychaud bitters and popcorn) and the Pablo Escobar (El Jimador Reposado, chilli tincture, lime and pineapple).
Getting there: train to Sutherland.
Blind Bear, Cronulla
Cronulla’s signature speakeasy has an astonishingly comprehensive collection of whisky – but those with sweeter tastes will love their range of Prohibition-era cocktails such as the Clover Club (gin, raspberry puree, lemon juice and sugar syrup), Dunkin’ For Apples (gin, lime, mint, cucumber, fresh apple and lemon juice) and the Rag Tag (Pampero Blanco, apple liqueur, fresh honeydew, mint and passionfruit soda).
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
The Botanical, Caringbah
Caringbah’s multistorey venue truly has something for everyone, including delicious drinks and city views from The Botanical rooftop balcony. Try an A’tivo, rose, Aperol, strawberry or elderflower spritz, a Kiss and Rum (passionfruit, mint, lime and Pampero Blanco) or a Bloodhound (strawberry, Tanqueray gin and dry vermouth).
Getting there: train to Caringbah.
Stav’s Drinks Eats and Beats, Sans Souci
Riverfront bar and restaurant Stav’s embodies the Greek way of life – and they keep the good times rolling with a signature selection of Greek-inspired cocktails. The Dr Zeus mixes vodka, vanilla liqueur, lime and pineapple with passionfruit and lime foam, while the Aphrodychee combines vodka, lychee liqueur lime and strawberry puree. If you’re feeling particularly outrageous, there’s also the Malaka Mojito (mastiha, passionfruit, lime and soda).
Getting there: 477 bus from Kogarah station or Uber.
The Prince Hotel, Kirrawee
The Prince Hotel in Kirrawee is still the new pub on the block but it keeps the punters happy with a long list of tried and true cocktails such as espresso martinis, negronis, margaritas and old fashioneds. The best part? They cost just $10 every day from 6pm until 8pm.
Getting there: train to Kirrawee or 969 bus from Miranda station.
Mejico, Miranda
Miranda’s favourite Mexican restaurant Mejico has more margarita varieties than you could poke a pinata stick at. Go wild with a jalapeño, passionfruit or cucumber margarita, or keep it simple with a classic version or Merjico’s signature lemon margarita. The regular cocktail menu also includes over-the-top options such as the Guadalajaran (roasted pineapple tequila, vanilla liqueur, cranberry, citrus and passionfruit) or the tequila colada (coconut-infused tequila, lemon, triple sec and pineapple and coconut puree).
Getting there: train to Miranda.
Cronulla RSL, Cronulla
If you haven’t had a Stoinker, have you even been to Cronulla RSL? Enjoy the club’s signature drink – a mysterious mixture of white spirits, midori, lemonade and lime – in the sunshine at their Deck Bar overlooking Cronulla Beach.
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
Eurobay Cafe and Bar, Brighton
Brighton’s beloved Eurobay Cafe and Bar keeps it nice and simple with a short, but diverse list of cocktails to accompany their extensive beer, wine and spirits offerings. Try their signature Italian spritzer (Aperol, Italian prosecco, ice and soda) or the apple martini (vodka, apple liqueur, apple juice, cinnamon sugar and fresh lime).
Getting there: 478 bus from Rockdale station or Uber.
Old Joe’s, Cronulla
Sunday sessions have never been better. Old Joe’s offers their signature cocktail of the month for just $12 from 4.30pm til 6.30pm every Sunday, but the party continues all week with $15 drinks such as From Brazil, With Love (cachaca, cointreau, egg white, lemon juice, sugar, lime and marmalade), Pretty in Pink (cranberry, egg white, vodka, peach schnapps and bubblegum) and the Ginger Rose Paloma (ginger, rose, Don Julio blanco and grapefruit).
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
Bondi Pizza, Brighton
Make pizza night a party at Brighton’s Bondi Pizza with signature cocktail jugs for everyone to share. The Bondi Beach Breeze mixes Absolut vodka, Lillet Rose and peach schnapps with pink grapefruit juice and cranberry juice while the Hang Ten Spritz shakes up Absolut Vanilla vodka and Aperol with passionfruit puree, fresh lemon, ice and soda water.
Getting there: 478 bus from Rockdale station or Uber.
Next Door, Cronulla
If you were any closer to the ocean, you’d be in it. Next Door is serving up a mix of traditional and signature drinks on the shores of North Cronulla Beach, including Bloody Marys, Aperol Spritzs, the Alf (strawberry, pisco, lemon and bitters), the Urkel (vodka, chambord, blueberry and pineapple), and the Charlene (vodka, passionfruit, rosewater and lime).
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
Low and Lofty’s, Cronulla
Low and Lofty’s is mixing its bold Caribbean burgers and chicken back with some original takes on the mojito (watermelon and vanilla, and pineapple and passion) and the espresso martini (salted caramel, dark chocolate, and cocospresso). They are also mixing up a wide variety of rum-based cocktails and sangria to match their unique Caribbean-Texan menu.
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
Rowers on Cooks River, Wolli Creek
It’s refreshment with a river view at Rowers on Cooks River. The short, sweet cocktail menu includes unique twists on classic drinks such as the Nutella martini and burnt citrus margarita, as well as the sticky sweet Musketeer (musk-infused vodka, lemonade, strawberry puree and fairy floss on top).
Getting there: train to Wolli Creek.
INC Cafe, Cronulla
INC Cafe is serving up live music and great drinks every weekend, with cocktails for just $10 from 6.30pm every Friday. The Shark Island Iced Tea takes a local twist on a time-honoured boozy classic with vodka, gin, tequila, triple sec, pepsi and lemon, while the Wild Ginga Ninga mixes house-made ginger beer with rum, mint and ginger ale.
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
Croydon Lane, Cronulla
Croydon Lane is perfect for an intimate drink hidden away from the hustle and bustle of Cronulla’s main drag. The lush cocktail list includes the Rosemary Baby (rosemary-infused gin, St Germain, crème de cassis and chocolate bitters), the Breakfast Martini (Tanqueray gin, cointreau, orange marmalade and lemon juice) and the Kiwi On The Rocks (tequila, cointreau, lime juice and fresh kiwi).
Getting there: train to Cronulla.
Huxley’s, Caringbah
Behind the secret door of Caringbah’s Ugly Pizza lies Huxley’s, an American-style sports bar with every ball game imaginable on screen and every cocktail you could dream of behind the bar. You could channel the original Anchorman with an I’m Ron Burgundy (Johnnie Walker Black, sweet vermouth and three types of bitters), or you could go for a truly Huxley’s experience with an alcoholic shake. Try the Oreo and Co – Oreo, Baileys, butterscotch schnapps, Patron and milk.
Getting there: train to Caringbah.
Amici Pizzeria, Kogarah
Amici Pizzeria pairs its pizza with cocktail classics such as the Aperol Spritz and Lychee Caipiroska. However, Amici puts a particular focus on Italian standards such as the bellini (prosecco and peach puree), the garibaldi (Campari and fresh orange juice) and limoncellissimo (limoncello, Frangelico, sugar and pinot grigio).
Getting there: train to Kogarah.
Como Hotel, Como
The Como Hotel is a classic venue with a classic cocktail list that doesn’t reinvent the wheel but perfects it instead. The menu includes espresso martinis, caipiroskas, mojitos, cosmopolitans, old fashioneds, negronis and jugs of sangria and Pimms for when the whole squad is out on the town together.
Getting there: train to Como.