| Prior to its opening and then after the doors were | | | | got the Gone for best new design at the 2009 |
| unlocked in early 2009, Ivy has been the talk of | | | | Australian bar awards and Time Out Magazine |
| Sydney town. Whether it was reports of the | | | | voted it Bar of the year. Believe it! There is |
| police not wanting the complex to open because | | | | actually a 25 metre pool with small bars and cosy |
| of a possible increase in anti social behaviour, | | | | cabanas dotted around the decking. Apparently, |
| news of the decadent design or gossip about the | | | | the aim of the uba cool Pool Club is to give you |
| owner, Justin Hemmes hooking up with the latest | | | | the feeling of holidaying in the south of France or |
| "it" girl, Ivy has been the bar / club on everyone's | | | | Palm Springs. Never having been to either of |
| lips. I'd heard so many reports about this place. | | | | these destinations, I totally channel this vibe with |
| Some were great and others weren't. I must | | | | my $17 Bikini Ballini in one hand and a slice of my |
| admit I'm generally not a fan of huge, | | | | slightly cold pizza in the other. I didn't find the |
| commercialized watering holes and I almost felt | | | | toppings [eggplant, mushrooms, baby spinach and |
| like I couldn't agree to go there as a reviewer for | | | | tomato], tasty at all - must have been a bad |
| fear of going with very preconceived ideas. | | | | week at the organic farmers market. The base |
| However, when a place took $180 million to build | | | | was the perfect thickness, but was a very |
| and four years to get Council approval, why | | | | disappointingly cool temperature. I felt like it had |
| wouldn't I want to see what all the fuss is about. | | | | been cooked and then left to sit for a while. |
| It was a cold and wet May evening when my | | | | Apart from pizzas, there is a few traditional types |
| friend and I headed there. The first thing we | | | | of pasta for the good looking, professional, |
| noticed is the bar/nightclub is split into two. One | | | | smooth talking, 24 plus crowd. They seem like a |
| entry gets you into the main part of the place | | | | glamorous bunch prepared to party any night of |
| which provides patrons with a huge selection of | | | | the week. One of the many party people out on |
| eating, drinking and lounging opportunities, each | | | | the Friday night we were there was RNB |
| one different from the next. This entry is also the | | | | sensation, Usher. |
| door to shopping heaven. Stores like Sass & Bide,, | | | | I'm sure many of these hotties have eaten at |
| Ginger & Smart and Peter Alexander call this | | | | Ecello - the swanky Italian restaurant alongside the |
| precinct home. The second entry point, is located | | | | Pool Club. It's a bit on the expensive side, but if |
| just a little further down George St. With security | | | | that's what you're into, try the arancini, zucchini |
| guards everywhere to tick off names and OK | | | | flowers and the angel hair pasta with crab, garlic |
| outfits, this passage is the door to the exclusive | | | | and chilli. Other food choices at Ivy are Mad Cow. |
| Pool Club. | | | | Australian Gourmet Traveller says the steaks are |
| I'm not quite sure I'm able to call Ivy a club - its | | | | gold, ranging between $38 and $75. While |
| shear hugeness makes me want to dub it a | | | | Teppanyaki has an after 11 night noodle menu, |
| precinct of some sort. For me, it's an ambitious | | | | Sushi Choo has amazing sashimi. Ash St Seller - a |
| take on an American style complex with just | | | | Parisian style wine bar - provides tapas you'd think |
| about everything over the top. Walk in to the | | | | you'd normally have for breakfast. Highlights are |
| main floor where the bench tops are marble, the | | | | the fluffy scrambled eggs with a side of brioche, |
| carpet turquoise and the bars title lines the walls. | | | | tasty warm toast topped with sauteed |
| Furniture in this room is retro, but is very | | | | mushrooms and the Gorgonzola fondue is creamy |
| different to the deck chairs and umbrellas in the | | | | bliss. But it's not all over priced food here. The |
| outside area on this level which provide for a | | | | Royal George has $10 jugs of beer and great pub |
| very relaxed feel [would be perfect in summer]. | | | | grub for 10 bucks during the week - all our |
| Near by is the Lawn Bar where there is a | | | | favourites like chicken schnitzel, fish and chips or |
| sprinkler system that I'm sure is there just for | | | | Shepherds Pie. |
| show. Girls, there is even a strip of grass in this | | | | Sure, owner, Justin Hemmes has a bit of a play |
| area so watch the heals here. Up a level is the | | | | boy image. He's always got a beautiful notable |
| Ivy Lounge - an up market spot complete with a | | | | lady on his arm and he is regularly spotted zipping |
| chandelier, but this bar does seem to be for a 30 | | | | around in his Lamborghini. The guy even owns a |
| something crowd. Next stop is the Den. It's no | | | | boat, a stack of other top notch bars and |
| wonder bootylicious reality TV star, Kim | | | | nightclubs around Sydney - he's even responsible |
| Kardashian was found in this part of the place on | | | | for the Good Vibrations festival. I don't think it is |
| her recent trip to Australia. If I was famous I'd | | | | any surprise he took this bold move in opening |
| want to sit it in an intimate, classy place like the | | | | Ivy. I think it will be a huge success - offering |
| Den what with its silver, full length mirrors, green | | | | food, drinks and settings for all occasions and |
| sofas and red pillows. | | | | people. Do I think some of the decor, prices and |
| What everyone I know has really been gushing | | | | attitude of the people who frequent the bar are |
| over is the notable, Pool Club. It's no wonder Ivy | | | | over the top and highly over rated? My oath! |