The Baxter Inn

Is The Baxter Inn Sydney’s coolest hidden basement? It’s certainly always been in the running since it opened 10 years ago. If it’s your first visit and you’re not sure if you’re headed in the right direction, the clue is in the line of people waiting outside a set of access stairs in an old loading dock off Clarence Street. Push through the door and it’s a step into another world, one where mood lighting and raw brick are the background to a wall of whisky, accompanied by an enormous drinks list that takes centre-stage behind the bar.

If you’re a whisky nerd, the smooth, smartly dressed bartenders can climb the ladder to the top shelf to pour you something special from Scotland, Ireland or the US, or they can keep it grounded and introduce you to more approachable examples from Japan or Australia. You certainly don’t need to know anything about whisky to know that this is a good time. Well-made cocktails hit the spot as much as the straight spirits, and wine and beer aren’t overlooked. All up, it’s a benchmark underground institution that demands a visit.

You might need some time to ponder that whisky board, so as you think it over, start off with a classic cocktail – an Old Fashioned, say. It’s on tap here, so all they need to do is add a cherry and a twist of orange peel and you’re good to go. When you get down to business, though, you might like to get to know some of the good stuff. Give a Starward Single Malt a try to see what Melbourne’ take on whisky tastes like. Or go with some long-aged Laphroaig to tick off the smoky, peaty Scotch quota, or have a crack at comparing lesser-known Bourbon and rye whiskies.

If you’re not here for whisky alone, the beers and wines have been chosen with some thought, and it’s always worth having another dip into the cocktail list – the bartenders here will mix a mean Last Word and stir down a proper Martini, too.