Palmer & Co

Equipped with that rare and beautiful thing, a 4am license, this offering from Justin Hemmes' Merivale group takes speakeasy style to the absolute max - a brilliantly executed recreation of an old style Prohibition lounge, in a beautiful arched brick basement down a back alley behind the Establishment Hotel.

From the floor mosaics to the period style glassware, from the aged mirrors to the taxidermy that commemorates the eponymous Mr. Palmer, no expense has been spared to bring the speakeasy concept to life. Bartenders wear braces; hats adorn the space; and there are curated lists of 1920s and 1930s cocktails, as well as regularly changing barrel-aged specials.

The CBD location makes it super-popular with a suited and booted office crowd, especially on a Friday night, so it's a spot best visited earlier in the week, to appreciate the space and the drinks without too much distraction.