The Establishment Review

Review By Eliomi Dauda

The heritage features of establishment bar make for a classy and exciting place to enjoy after work drinks or a Saturday night dance with friends.

Huge iron columns line the walls around the centerpiece 42 metre long bar. The marble bar sets a magnificent point for conversation and allows for a spacious place to indulge in the large list of cocktails and drinks.

On my first visit to the venue I was pleasantly surprised to hear there was an RnB night with live djs and great music. After waiting in line for a substantial amount of time we paid our $15 cover charge and were welcomed to a drink by the large bar.

It was refreshing to see how spacious the bar area was, compared to the usual crammed bar where everyone is yelling over each other for the bartenders attention. I ordered a Georgia mint tulip ($19)which was fantastic. We also had a lorena treacle ($23) which was unforgettable with a mix of rum and orange toffee. Overall the drinks were pleasant but a little pricey, but the swift service balanced it all out.

After we downed our many cocktails my friends and I couldn’t hold back from the dance floor. With great music playing I cant blame that the dance floor was overly packed. With a great range of people we enjoyed the large crowd although we couldn’t hold down a conversation, over the pumping music.

Looking for a quieter place we took the lifts to Hemmesphere on the 4th floor. The lounge area is spacious and relaxing with an upbeat vibe.

The lounge bar is grand with warm earthy tones lining the high walls. Low Purple leather lounges create a perfect setting for conversations and intimate moments.

We went straight to the bar to collect our drinks but were nicely informed that there was only table service. We happily sat outside which was dimly lit and surrounded by high windows, which showed off the beautiful city skyline and high rise buildings. Compared to the main bar the music was at a pleasant level allowing everyone around us to chitchat away.

We were handed a large booklet of cocktails and light meals. The service was very efficient with the waitresses being more than happy to suggest different drinks. We started of with the salt and pepper cuttlefish ($15.5) mixed in Chinese spices and deep fried, flavorsome and tender. Followed by The chicken kara-age ($14.5) delicious marinated chicken.

The crowd in Hemmesphere is older than the main bars . The lounge is of a Friday night vibe, a stop off for after work drinks. For something more upbeat and age appropriate for my friends and I, I would suggest the bar downstairs to let loose and dance the night away. I highly recommend Establishment whether it be for a dance downstairs or a quiet drink at Hemmesphere upstairs, a very enjoyable night.