Lebanese flavours take centre stage at this vibrant CBD bar in the winning Middle Eastern eats and the tight-yet-mighty wine list, backed up by globetrotting cocktails.
The short but mighty list of Lebanese reds are all luscious and full-bodied – rich cab savs and blends that are made for meats. For something lighter, the Petit Couvent Rosé – made from an indigenous Lebanese grape, tfeifihé, and tempranillo – is refreshing and balanced, but has a sturdy, faintly bitter kick that gives it real personality.
And then to the cocktails. The bar staff take their work seriously – you can ask them to make a Martini the way the Lord intended it, and without hesitation they’ll present you with an unflinching Dirty Gin Martini. But on paper, the list gets pretty creative: the Beirut Express, for instance, is a twist on a Margarita with tequila, green Chartreuse and a smoked chilli-salt rim, while the Archie Visits Japan is a blend of Archie Rose rye whiskey, sake and house-made rosewater. Among the sakes are several junmai pure-rice sakes and a range of flavoured options such as pear and yuzu, while the spirits selection includes tequilas and whiskies, as well as arak.
No one’s taking any shortcuts on the non-alc list either, with no fewer than 13 fully realised alcohol-free drinks made from Lyre’s, including a riff on a Manhattan, a Mojito and a Salted Caramel Espresso Martini.
