The Social Room at Pollen Street Social

The foundation for what has become a critically acclaimed empire, Pollen Street Social is Jason Atherton's first restaurant and its Social Room bar area opened with Gareth Evans behind the stick. Gareth now heads up Jason's global bar program, leaving the talented Greg Almeida to lead the team here.

The venue is divided between the dining room and bar with a sleek modern feel that vaguely echos a classic library - think pine-coloured wood and dark leather. Customers perch at the bar or in the leather couches and armchairs along the wall. It's a relaxed venue with people eating in the bar as well as drinking, served by staff dressed in black. It's worth noting that these bar tables can be booked with the restaurant's full-menu, rather than a pared down bar menu, available.

The back-bar bristles with an eclectic range of spirits and liqueurs which are used to good affect in the creative, well-made and balanced cocktails.