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Polar vortex? Nothing a good booze-blanket can’t solve. And while it’s tempting to stay home when the weather is icy, there’s more than a few good reasons to brave the cold – not least when a good cosy bar is the lure. Here’s a handful of our favourites around the country.
The Lord Dudley, Sydney
It doesn’t get much cosier than a pub with an open fire. Plush upholstered armchairs add to the comfort, too – as does a handsome selection of beers, and gutsy eats along the lines of wagyu-and-Guinness pies and bangers and mash. The Lord Dudley, 236 Jersey Rd, Woollahra, NSW, (02) 93275399
Nant Whisky Bar, Hobart
There are few drops that shake off the cold like a good dram, and Nant distillery’s Hobart bar is a fine place to get your whisky fix. The laneway space offers plenty of charm, and the 11 house-distilled single malts (the sweet, citrusy Sherry Wood, for example, or the fuller-bodied White Oak) make for a tasty distraction from the winter weather. Nant Whisky Bar, shop 3G/63 Woobys La, Battery Point, Tas, 1800 746 453
Budburst, Perth
Gracious, guest-centric service, comfortable stools at a copper bar and a crisply succinct wine list that still somehow takes in everything from Corsican pinot noir to wild-ferment South African chenin blanc (and that’s just by the glass): Budburst is a compelling package, especially once you factor in the kitchen’s contributions, which include a serious croque-monsieur, and braised lamb neck with cumquats and spiced eggplant. Budburst, 406 Oxford St, Mt Hawthorn, WA, (08) 9444 3406
Cork Wine Café, Adelaide (closed)
Cork combines an indie cult-cool list, which stars the natural-leaning likes of Ruggabellus, Arfion and Gentle Folk, with snacks such as locally made rillettes and charcuterie. Little wonder, then, that it’s such a hit among Adelaide’s sommeliers. Cork Wine Café, 61a Gouger St, Adelaide, SA, (08) 8410 0645
The Gresham, Brisbane
The Gresham’s heritage bones, which date back to 1881, make an excellent backdrop to winter drinking. Then there are interesting cocktails (the Sunny Disposition, for example – a mix of citrus, echinacea, ginger, bitters and whisky, served hot) to help warm the cockles. The solid rare and obscure spirit offering, too, is guaranteed to lead to toasty good times. The Gresham, 308 Queen St, Brisbane, Qld
Bar Di Stasio, Melbourne
Pull up a stool at the high marble bar and let Bar Di Stasio’s white-jacketed staff relieve you of your cold-weather blues. Here, they serve carefully crafted classic cocktails, wines from Ronnie Di Stasio’s own vines, and comforting Italian eats such as hot crumbed eggplant, lasagne pasqualina and Bolognese arancini. Bar Di Stasio, 31 Fitzroy St, St Kilda, Vic, (03) 9525 3999
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