WORDS ROBERTA MUIR

LOVE POTION
Jared Plummer (2007 ALIA Bartender of the Year) from Sydney’s funky Hugos Bar Pizza created this luscious Campari Royale for the launch of the Campari Calendar 2008… perfect for sharing with someone special this Valentine’s Day.
Combine 40ml Campari, 20ml freshly squeezed orange juice, 40ml guava juice and 180ml prosecco (or other sparkling white wine). Stir and strain into two flute glasses, garnish with orange twists. That’s amore!
33 Bayswater Rd, Kings Cross, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9357 4411.

NEW OASIS
Impress the light of your life this Valentine’s Day with cocktails at ivy bar and lounge in Sydney’s new AU$150-million ivy development. Spread over two levels, linked by a spiral staircase from the courtyard dominated by a Japanese maple, it’s a green oasis in the heart of the CBD. The downstairs casual ivy bar opens onto the courtyard, while the ivy lounge upstairs is more cosy with live entertainment. 330–346 George St, Sydney, tel: +61 (2) 9240 3000.

ROMANTIC DRINKING SPOTS FOR THE MONTH OF LOVE

PHUKET
Joe’s Downstairs, 223 Kalim Beach Rd, Kalim Bay, tel: +66 (76) 340 789 Leave Patong’s crowds behind and book a seaside seat at Joe’s. With dreamy views over Kalim Bay and the sound of waves crashing beneath you on the rocks, this breezy deck is Phuket’s most romantic bar. Enjoy a sunset drink and nibbles from the tapas menu or head upstairs to Baan Rim Pa Thai restaurant for something heartier.

SYDNEY
360 BAR, Level 1, Sydney Tower (enter from 100 Market St), tel: +61 (2) 8223 3883 This Valentine’s Day, go straight to the top – the highest revolving bar in the southern hemisphere atop Sydney Tower. With spectacular views over Sydney and beyond, no wonder 360 hosts at least one marriage proposal each week. Try a cocktail with one of the new “ravioli spheres” – a fine film encasing a luscious taste sensation. We recommend the gin-based Miss Pennyapple, with refreshing kiwifruit and apple-infused sphere.

HONOLULU
RumFire, Grd Floor, Sheraton Waikiki, tel: +1 (866) 952 3473 Waikiki’s newest hot spot features the creations of award-winning mixologist Francesco Lafranconi. Set against the stunning backdrop of Diamond Head, this funky oceanfront bar boasts more than 101 brands of rum, from rare blends, such as Rhum Clément XO from the early 1950s, to Hawaiian rum produced from local sugar cane. There’s also a great tapas-style menu and private fire pits.

PERTH
Must Winebar, 519 Beaufort St, Highgate, tel: +61 (8) 9328 8255 The place in Perth for serious wine lovers just got even better with the opening of the new Champagne Lounge upstairs. More like a private club than a bar (without the membership fees), the only prerequisite to “membership” is that you love to drink champagne, fine wines, cognacs and other rare and divine elixirs… sounds easy to us! Settle back in one of the chaise lounges or French vintage-style armchairs and sip on a glass of Billecart-Salmon, Krug, Pol or Dom.

BALI
Nammos Beach Club, Jalan Wijaya Kusuma, tel: +62 (361) 708 800 The bar in the newly opened Karma Kandara resort on the southernmost tip of Bali is inspired by the beach vibe of the Greek islands. The bar sits alongside the infinity edge pool and serves Bali’s coolest range of cocktails alongside mod Mediterranean tapas-style nibbles in chic beach booths.