BarChick is often dubious about bars that win a lot of awards, so was understandably skeptical about the heavily decorated Eau De Vie, but when the arm-gartered bartender whipped up a firey Blue Blazer made with Ron Zacapa Rum she was sold,  Eau de Vie (water of life, we can only assume they're talking about booze) is a bartender's bar, with classic drinks, rare spirits and some of the best damn drinks in Sydney.

Like being transported to another era (the one when flappers smoked those long cigarettes), Eau de Vie is hiding through an unmarked door in the back of the lobby in the Kirketon boutique hotel, just follow the jazzy tunes and clinking of crystal glasses. The bartenders are some of the best you'll find and will patiently help guide you in the ordering of your drink. Along with fire they also mix up drinks chilled with smoky liquid nitrogen, and huge punches for your flapper friends to share. They don't take themselves too seriously though, check out the goofy caricatures of each barmen in the menu, alongside their favourite drink recipe.

But lets get back to that Blazer, it's thrown back and forth with Pedro Ximinez sherry, and it was just what BarChick needed on a cold wintery night (it gets cold in Sydney, trust us!). If BarChick handed out awards, that drink would win first prize.

Reservations recommended.