London Hotspot Find: Experimental Cocktail Club

London Hotspot Find: Experimental Cocktail Club | meltingbutter.com

EXPERIMENTAL COCKTAIL CLUB, LONDON CHINATOWN Positioned across 3 floors of an old Chinatown townhouse is the London edition of the Experimental Cocktail Club, a prohibition bar offering shi-shi Londoners a sophisticated way to start off (or end) their evenings. The people lingering outside could be mistaken for those waiting in line for Chinese food next … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Tooker Alley

NYC Hotspot Find: Tooker Alley | meltingbutter.com

TOOKER ALLEY, PROSPECT HEIGHTS This understated, yet quietly quirky artisanal cocktail bar serves up undoubtedly stylish tipples, which they evidently take very seriously. Just take a peek at their multi-page old-timey style menu which offers readers insight into the history of what they’re drinking as well as the bar’s manifesto which is to be “consciously … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Baby’s All Right

NYC Hotspot Find: Baby’s All Right | meltingbutter.com

BABY’S ALL RIGHT, WILLIAMSBURG If you’ve been following me on the Instagram, you’ll know that I’m often hanging out at the gigs, DJ sets and live music events of my favourite musicians and artists. So I guess you could say I know a thing or two about what makes a live music venue stand out … Continue reading

Adelaide Hotspot Find: Clever Little Tailor

Adelaide Hotspot Find: Clever Little Tailor | meltingbutter.com

CLEVER LITTLE TAILOR, ADELAIDE Downtown Adelaide is in the midst of reforming its nightlife scene and Clever Little Tailor is the boutique drinking den that appears to be leading the way. Walking along the once deserted, now up and coming Peel Street, you’ll notice the city’s laneway culture developing rapidly in the same way we … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Extra Fancy

NYC Hotspot Find: Extra Fancy | meltingbutter.com

EXTRA FANCY, WILLIAMSBURG If I really think about the establishments popping up around Williamsburg one theme comes to mind – not so fancy and extra fancy. It’s a veritable hodgepodge of highbrow, lowbrow, cheap, expensive, dive-y and upscale and Extra Fancy is a bar/restaurant nodding its head to this wonderful characteristic of Williamsburg. Don’t let … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Pearl & Ash

NYC Hotspot Find: Pearl & Ash | meltingbutter.com

PEARL & ASH, NOLITA When you dine in a restaurant with an inch-thick wine list you’d expect to be dropping some serious cash. You could go either way at Pearl & Ash, a progressive downtown wine bar serving up globally inspired small plates with a plenty of wow factor. For 10-15 bucks a plate and … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Cameo Gallery

NYC Hotspot Find: Cameo Gallery | meltingbutter.com

CAMEO GALLERY, WILLIAMSBURG Hidden away like a speakeasy behind a Williamsburg restaurant is Cameo Gallery. A performing arts centre known by locals for its freshly curated events calendar hosting indie and dance music acts like Quadron, Frankie Knuckles, Benji B, Nicolas Jaar, Maurice Fulton and Joe Goddard just to name a few. Best Bit: The … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: The 303 at Louie and Chan

NYC Hotspot Find: The 303 at Louie and Chan | meltingbutter.com

THE 303 AT LOUIE AND CHAN, LOWER EAST SIDE This brand-new restaurant and basement bar/music room concept is exactly what discerning New Yorkers have been looking for. I for one am celebrating its arrival to the downtown Manhattan scene. Here’s how your night at Louie and Chan is going to play out – a pre-dinner … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: The Leadbelly

NYC Hotspot Find: The Leadbelly | meltingbutter.com

THE LEADBELLY, LOWER EAST SIDE This charming cocktail bar is the brainchild of the guys behind The Fat Radish and its interiors you could say are the lovechild of mid-century Europe and vintage Americana – think carefully selected interior embellishments like old vinyl, vintage suitcases and a curved copper bar. Each night, The Leadbelly serves … Continue reading

Sydney Hotspot Find: The L-P Bar Pop-Up

Sydney Hotspot Find: L-P Bar Pop-Up | meltingbutter.com

THE L-P BAR, PADDINGTON Located on “the intersection” of Australia’s famed fashion houses, one of the most prestigious Champagne estates, Laurent-Perrier has launched a pop-up bar, The L-P Bar at Jackies Paddington. This gives you Sydney-siders a rare and indulgent opportunity sample from five Champagne styles, including Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle, the world-renowned Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, Laurent-Perrier Millésimé 2004, the … Continue reading

The Curators: Belinda Humphris of Claire Inc. on Designer Vintage Fashion and the Best of Adelaide

Vintage Jean Paul Gaultier Sunglasses | The Curators-Belinda Humphris of Claire Inc. on Designer Vintage Fashion and the Best of Adelaide | meltingbutter.com

About 5 years ago (to my delight) I stumbled across Adelaide based eBay seller Claire Inc. who had the most exquisite taste in designer vintage clothing. Belinda Humprhis, the founder of Claire Inc. has since grown the business into an online fashion destination for shrewd, well-dressed ladies searching for high-end vintage clothing – admittedly she … Continue reading

New York City guide: Top 10 bars for frequenting

It’s been just over a year living in NYC now and admittedly; it’s been the drunkest year of my life. I’m not really sure who I should be blaming for this… Myself? My friends? The plethora of watering holes in the city? Probably all three (not that there’s even anything wrong with some responsibly drunken … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Mother’s Ruin

NYC Hotspot Find: Mother’s Ruin | meltingbutter.com

MOTHER’S RUIN, NOLITA I can’t quite put my finger on what I like so much about this bar. Sure, it’s airy, the cocktails are nice and there are these big beautiful windows you can sit by in the summer time… But there’s something else about it that makes me wonder why I don’t go more … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Elsa

NYC Hotspot Find: Elsa | meltingbutter.com

  ELSA, EAST VILLAGE Bright and airy with a stylish balance of old and new. Think clean white walls, Edison bulbs and vintage sewing machines. Best Bit: Start early when it’s still light out and enjoy sitting under the big beautiful skylight https://www.facebook.com/elsabarnyc 217 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009 (917) 882-7395     … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Angels Share

NYC Hotspot Find: Angels Share | meltingbutter.com

ANGELS SHARE, EAST VILLAGE I’d say with conviction that they make the best cocktails in the city. Hopefully you score a seat in one of the booths by the big beautiful windows but if not, the handsome Japanese bar men make sitting at the bar a pretty good consolation prize. Remember the only way in … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Von

NYC Hotspot Find: Von | meltingbutter.com

  VON, EAST VILLAGE A low key East Village local with rustic all-wood interior that could be reminiscent of an old bar in the South of France. The bar attracts a well-dressed downtown crowd that skews creative. Best Bit: There’s a small-room club downstairs where you can dance off all the wine you’ve consumed. http://www.vonbar.com/ … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Torst

NYC Hotspot Find: Torst | meltingbutter.com

TORST, GREENPOINT Scandinavia meets Brooklyn. It had to be done one day and what better time than now – while NYC’s recent love affair with Scandinavian cuisine and Danish styling is coming into full fledge. Best Bit: They manage to really elevate beer by serving all of their 21 brews in refined Danish glassware. http://www.torstnyc.com/ … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Sake Bar Decibel

NYC Hotspot Find: Sake Bar Decibel | meltingbutter.com

SAKE BAR DECIBEL, EAST VILLAGE Located in what I like to call Little Tokyo on 9th Street East Village, this place could easily be named best sake bar in NYC. Look out for the illuminated “On Air” sign (it’s the only way you’ll know you’ve arrived) and walk down the wooden stairs into what feels … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: The Narrows

NYC Hotspot Find: The Narrows | meltingbutter.com

THE NARROWS, BUSHWICK It’s narrow (like the name) and the 1920s Deco inspired interiors will compel you to imagine the cast of Mad Men drinking here – only in reality you’ll more likely be drinking with the local Bushwick crowd who are more hipster than Mad Men. Best Bit: There’s a back garden where you … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Kinfolk Studios

NYC Hotspot Find: Kinfolk Studios | meltingbutter.com

KINFOLK 90 WYTHE, WILLIAMSBURG Wythe Avenue is very quickly becoming the go-to nightlife street in Williamsburg for young Brooklynites and edgier Manhattanites. Right across from the Wythe hotel stands Kinfolk 90 Wythe – a spot that seamlessly combines bar, restaurant and club in an intimate yet vibe-y way. Best Bit: The space. It’s the kind … Continue reading

NYC Hotspot Find: Wythe Hotel Rooftop

NYC Hotspot Find: Wythe Hotel Rooftop | meltingbutter.com

WYTHE HOTEL ROOFTOP, WILLIAMSBURG NYC does cool hotel bars like no other city and the Wythe Hotel rooftop is no exception. Start the evening with dinner at Reynard and ask the staff if you can skip the line for post dinner drinks. Best Bit: Best view of Manhattan and a high coincidence of spying on … Continue reading

Athens Hotspot Find: Oinoscent Cellar & Wine Bar

Athens Hotspot Find: Oinoscent Cellar & Wine Bar | meltingbutter.com

OINOSCENT: CELLAR & WINE BAR, STNTAGMA If Greek wine is as much of a mystery to you as it has been to me, head to Oinoscent – the first of this kind of new-school wine bar in the city. The staff here knows their wine and will give you well informed recommendations by the glass … Continue reading

Athens Hotspot Find: Key Bar

Athens Hotspot Find: Key Bar Interiors | meltingbutter.com

KEYBAR, PLAKA Located in downtown Athens, in the historical center, Keybar is one of the city’s most vibrant hot spots frequented by all of its most understated and stylish pretty young things. Just check out their website to get a sampling of the atmosphere and crowd. Best Bit: Vintage styling, people watching and well curated … Continue reading

Amsterdam Hotspot Find: Hannekes Boom

Amsterdam Hotspot Find: Hannekes Boom | meltingbutter.com

HANNEKES BOOM On a sunny day this is the place to go and hang out with all those sun-loving Dutchies. Boats moor up to Hannekes Boom to enjoy a drink and the vibe, it’s sunny and everyone’s happy 🙂 Best bit: You can end up spending the entire day there drinking and laughing with friends. … Continue reading

Amsterdam Hotspot Find: The Butcher

Amsterdam Hotspot Find: The Butcher | meltingbutter.com

THE BUTCHER This place opened the week we left Amsterdam. There was plenty of buzz going on – everyone was excited to see a new all night gourmet burger joint open with a secret invite only cocktail bar behind a nondescript door. I wonder how long it’ll stay “invite only” in little ol’ Amsterdam 🙂 … Continue reading