Inspired by New Orleans, NOLA Smokehouse and Bar in Barangaroo is the second venue by the owners of The Swinging Cat.
The lavish fitout by Luchette Krelle combines colourful New Orleans architecture with some French colonial influences, white shutters, overhanging greenery, a long copper bar with NOLA street lighting and metal lattice, even a semi circular section of the bar reminiscent of the Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone.
NOLA Smokehouse and Bar boasts a large collection of American whiskey, currently standing at 450 and soon to reach 750. The goal is to reach 1000 bottles, including rare whiskeys kept in glass cabinets which can be ordered for customers who sign a contract for payment. The emphasis is on American whiskey and not just bourbon with a solid selection of rye whiskey, with more rare and sought-after expressions to come.
The cocktail list includes well-crafted classics from New Orleans such as the Sazerac, Vieux Carré, Hurricane, Ramos Gin Fizz, and a take on De La Louisiane with a house-made spiced cherry. Other cocktails play with seasonality offering fresh and summery flavours with fruit and berries. The concept is to keep it light, bright and lively in tune with the venue.
Although the name alludes to having more of a food focus than drinks, the 270 person capacity venue is split into 200 for the bar and 70 for the restaurant, the latter having a large fire pit and smoker for preparing various cuts of meat. The bar space include a private cocktail lounge with table service for up to 40 people and there will soon be a mobile bar serving champagne and whiskey.
NOLA Smokehouse and Bar
Address: Tower 1, 200 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Hours: Mon to Wed & Sat 4pm to 1am; Thu & Fri 11.45pm to 1am; Sun 11.45am to 10pm
Website: www.nolasydney.com
Photo by Cocktails & Bars – © Copyright: All rights reserved.
