The Thirsty Travellers have been eager to visit basement bar Charlie Parker’s since it opened in 2016 … five years later we finally wandered down the stairs to the intimate venue, located below Fred’s restaurant in Paddington.

Charlie Parker’s is part of the Merivale group and it’s a gorgeous space that feels like a secret, Prohibition-style bar. It’s filled with cosy corners, dark wooden features, exposed sandstone and original features on the walls, such as an old-time timber telephone.

The building was originally a roadhouse in the 1850s, while the bar area used to be used to make blinds.

It looks onto a laneway and late afternoon light was flooding the room as we grabbed a table by the window.

Working with local producers, the cocktail list is crafted around seasonal produce and botanicals. Offerings include the Pineapple sage with Maker’s Mark bourbon, amaro and honey; ‘Kiwi-vermouth’ with Beefeater gin and kaffir lime; and Wild banana wine with Buckley’s Rye and Pedro Ximinez sherry.

We were visiting as guests of Grey Goose vodka, following an event showcasing its new Essences range, made with all-natural ingredients.

We nibbled a cheese plate and vowed to return for delicious nibbles including pistachio and sultana snails with chicken liver parfait and zucchini flowers filled with spanner crab mousseline, prepared upstairs by Fred’s Head chef Danielle Alvarez.

Definitely one for your bar-hopping bucket list next time you’re in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

380 Oxford Street, Paddington, 02 9240 3000, merivale.com.au