Frank Mac’s

From the crew behind Sydney's opium den-inspired whisky bar, The Doss House comes a new gin bar for The Rocks. Frank Mac's ain't your average gin bar either—with 100+ gins sourced from all around the world, it has one of the biggest botanical collections in Sydney.

Inspired by village bars in Ireland, Frank Mac's is set across two storeys and a courtyard in one of The Rocks' extra-charming sandstone buildings. The facade gives Diagon Alley vibes and we love the cosy fireplaces and private lamplit nooks. 

With such a hefty collection of gin, yes, the cocktail menu is predominately gin-based. Standout drinks include signature G&T's (naturally) and a Vesper-style "Mac Martini" with Eristoff vodka, JJ Whitley gin, Lillet and Antica Formula finished with a splash of Dolin Dry and house-made olive brine which has been infused with lemon myrtle, kaffir lime, and bay leaves. It's crisp and clean, just the way a martini should be. 

High rollers will love the $100 "Frank's Last Drink" concoction—a theatrical mix of Monkey 47 Distiller’s Cut and vintage 1970s Carpano Dry Vermouth, served in a crystal glass
and paired with a 10g serve of Ossetra caviar. It might be Sydney's most expensive martini. 

We're also excited for the potential comeback of the Brandy Alexander. Frank Mac's version will be a chilli-infused coco pop washed brandy milk punch served with smoked cream and dusted with nutmeg (just casually).

To eat, it's a short menu of snacks like burrata with sourdough, heirloom tomatoes, and frutta di mostardo; smoked mozzarella and basil arancini; 24-hour gin-cured salmon with Yarra Valley shiraz gin caviar; and meat and cheese boards. There's also the Frank toasted panini with truffle-infused sopressa, smoked provola, and sliced cornichon, and two pies created especially by Infinity Bakery: a beef and Guinness with stout gravy, and a roasted vegetable with traditional Irish curry sauce. 

With sister venue, The Doss House not far away, as well as Maybe Sammy, and some new spots on the way like Hickson House Distilling Co., The Rocks is shaping up to be one of Sydney's best bar-hopping suburbs. 

Frank Mac's will open on Friday 22 October. 

Image credit: Steven Woodburn