When it opened in 2010, Darlinghurst cocktail bar Eau-de-Vie was at the forefront of Sydney’s cocktail scene, setting the benchmark for bars citywide with its on-point service, theatrical cocktails and world-class whisky selection – it even won the world’s best new cocktail bar the year after it launched. The bar closed in October 2020, citing challenges including the pandemic and lockout laws. But soon, this standard-setter will be back pouring cocktails for Sydneysiders – Eau-de-Vie 2.0 will open on George Street in the CBD in early 2023.

Speakeasy, the group behind Eau-de-Vie, will relaunch the award-winning bar in the basement of the heritage-listed Beneficial House, in the Brookfield Place precinct (also home to Shell House and a hub of new cafes and diners around Wynyard). Simultaneously, the group will open a new restaurant, The Sanderson, on the building’s first floor. And you can expect them both to be around for a long time – Speakeasy has signed a 10-year lease. Both venues will be accessed speakeasy-style via Wynyard Lane.

Eau-de-Vie was the first bar Speakeasy founders Sven Almenning and Greg Sanderson launched together, spawning a spin-off in Melbourne and a clutch of other venues – including Mjolner and Nick & Nora’s – in both cities. They hope to reimagine the spirit and success of the original Eau-de-Vie in the new space.

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Picking up where its predecessor left off, Eau-de-Vie 2.0 will make a great match for the historic Beneficial House, with jazz music piped through to the moodily lit room, cosy booths, a whisky room (with private whisky lockers for keeping your bottle purchases safe) and a huge backbar.

“We’re not reinventing the concept by any means,” said Almenning in a statement. “Eau-de-Vie will always be about awesome innovative and theatrical cocktails, paired with world-class service and of course a wide-ranging whisky collection to rival any specialist whisky bar as well.”

Meanwhile, The Sanderson will take cues from the historic building and its CBD surrounds, focusing on steak and oysters. It’ll champion Aussie beef and lamb – and of course the food will be bolstered by outstanding cocktails and a banging wine list.

“We really do see Beneficial House becoming a destination that our guests can spend an entire evening within. Aperitif cocktails at Eau-de-Vie, upstairs to The Sanderson for an amazing dinner, and then back downstairs for a whisky nightcap,” said Sanderson in a statement.

The restaurant and bar will both be brought to life by Studio Y, which has been responsible for Speakeasy’s recent venues, including Nick & Nora’s and Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters in Melbourne.

Eau-de-Vie and The Sanderson are slated to open in early 2023 at 285 George Street, Sydney.

eaudevie.com.au