And Afterwards We Drop Into A Quiet Little Place And Have A Drink Or Two...

Years ago Oppenheimer was famous for taking his girls covertly to Baron's in Kings Cross. Baron's was quite grungy back then, an infamous institution for the night owls who wanted to go somewhere deep into the night and play a jukebox and drink gin and tonics in some secret corner. It was of course knocked down a number of years ago and replaced with a Gaudi-esque inspired building which now houses the nightclub 'Beachhaus' on the first floor. Those of you who have not been back since it was Baron's would be shocked by the difference between then and now. Now it is for the young hip hop crowd, then it was for the classics of rock n roll.

These days, Oppenheimer and myself included, are getting a little long in the tooth for late nights and Boogie Nights recreations. For us, we prefer the quiet bar, something akin to those famous lyrics of Frank Sinatra in 'Something Stupid' - 'And afterwards we drop into a quiet little bar and have a drink or two.... And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like  'I love you''.

Well, I am here to tell you that there is a quiet bar like that in the Kings Cross area. It is called Velluto. Velluto is an intimate champagne and wine bar that acts as a small haven in the heart of the Potts Point / Kings Cross interface - allowing for a sophisticated experience whilst the others wreck themselves in the neighbouring precinct. The champagne list is extensive and includes luxury vintages. At the same time there are many different boutique wineries from Australia and New Zealand that are represented on their wine list and, lastly, but not leastly, their martini menu is one of the most comprehensive in Sydney - see it here. I am going to head up there on Sunday when they have a jazz evening featuring two themes 'Prohibition' and 'Berlin Burlesque'.www.velluto.com.au; 7/50 Macleay Street, Potts Point NSW 2011; +61 2 9357 1100