Three decades on, the martini is back to being the toast of the town. Whether you take yours wet, dry, dirty, with one olive or three, there’s a V-shaped glass for everyone at Sydney’s newest martini bar, Bar Planet.

The intergalactic-themed cocktail bar is the latest offering by Mucho Aloha, the drinks specialists behind Cantina OK! Tio’s Cerveceria and The Cliff Dive.

The martini is definitely having a moment, Mucho Aloha co-owner and Head of Beverage Jeremy Blackmore confirms. “I think after lockdown, people are ready for straight alcohol in a glass.”

The problem is, some people can feel a bit weird about ordering one, he says. “They’re worried they’re going to say the wrong thing and some snooty waiter in a waistcoat is going to call them out for it.”

If you’re unsure how you take yours, Bar Planet’s house martini is a safe bet.  The signature sipper is made from “Infinite Spirit”, a house-made alcohol that sits somewhere between a vodka and a gin.

“We make our own spirit which we flavour with different fruits from around the area. The current one is made from eight different types of heritage apples. We’re currently in the process of making a second batch using Australian blood limes and coriander seed.”

“The reason why it’s infinite is because we’re always going to mix in some of the old stuff with the new stuff, so it’s always evolving, developing and changing,” Blackmore explains.

The Infinite Spirit is combined with a house vermouth blend, made from three different Aussie vermouths and an apera sherry, to create the Bar Planet martini.

With just two ingredients, there’s a lot of pressure on getting the preparation right. At Bar Planet, they pre-batch the martini mix at the start of each shift, then chill it to minus 16 degrees in the freezer. It’s stored in a Spanish porrón drinking vessel and poured from a height, allowing air to mingle with the spirit on its way to the glass. “This way you get a super cold, super delicious martini every time.” Finally, it’s garnished with an olive and a shave of fresh lemon zest.

If you’re particular about your preferences, the menu also includes a How You Like It section, which lets you build your own drink from three vodkas and three gins. “It’s a bit like martini IKEA,” Blackmore says.

For a small sampler, you can order the Martini Mouthfeel, a mini martini served with lemon jelly in a shot glass.

Located at the start of Enmore Road, Planet Bar has been given a stellar new fit-out that’s described as a psychedlic  take on a classic European bistro.
The room’s energy revolves around the showpiece bar and tables, made by Australian artist David Humphries. The resin surface depicts a cosmic collage of suns, planets  and supernovas made from jade, marble and French glass. Order one too many martinis and you’ll almost certainly be seeing stars.

Bar Planet
16 Enmore Rd, Newtown
Mon – Sun, 4pm – 12am
barplanet.com.au

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