All you Hunter S Thompson fans out there will get straight off why this place is exciting – between the abundant antlers and fedora-topped bar staff in Hawaiian shirts, Bat Country is where to go gonzo like the Good Doctor himself. Just watch out for the giant talking lizards.
Ensconced in Randwick’s buzzy dining strip, The Spot, this is a local’s bar – friendly and relaxed, with a Friday night party every night vibe. Open from coffee o’clock with cheesy scraps and bacon for breakfast, to dinner, cocktails and beyond, you’ll always find clusters of people in booths or sitting at the bar, with the grinning bartender just waiting to make you the Best Drink in the World (lime, white rum & sugar).
Their cocktail list, created by Collin Perillo (ex Milk and Honey, London), is both masculine and fruity, a bit like the man himself. We tried a Jack Jamo Flip, which mixes Jack Daniel’s with Jameson Whiskey, and it works. Or try Destro’s Blazer (house spiced rum, cask strength whiskey, Cointreau, orange peel and fire). As they say, “Take two of these and call us in the morning.”