Ivy

Justin Hemmes’ multi-level, multi-venue super-club is a Sydney entertainment Leviathan, there’s no denying it. Enter via the Angel Place laneway and saunter past French bar and bistro Felix for a dry Martini and a Reuben sandwich, or head directly across to Ash Street Cellar for a glass of wine and some tapas. Head up the stairs to Palings on level one for schnitzel finger sandwiches on soft white bread and glasses of crisp rosé. Venture even further up and you’ll land at the Ivy Pool Club with its private buttercup-yellow cabanas and sparkling blue pool, like an invitation to peel down to your togs and jump in while holding a pineapple cocktail. Even the bathrooms are their very own party, with doors that only occasionally lock, slowly turning mirror balls and enough room to do your business with at least four on-lookers (if you were so inclined). Ivy Change Room is the club and bar attached to the bathrooms where Friday hip-hop nights and Pacha Saturdays transform the space into yet another area to take the party – and you don’t even need to get out of your mankini. Keep climbing to level six, if you’ve got clearance. This is an invitation-only members’ lounge, with free-flowing salty Margaritas and yes, a hot tub that could easily accommodate at least five Hiltons and a Timomatic. Pick one, head in mid-week and get all the excitement with none of the weekend bridge-and-tunnel crowd.