The Big Easy

The Verdict

Bringing New Orleans flair to Darlinghurst’s food and drink scene is newcomer, The Big Easy (yes, it’s named after the 80s neo-noir drama-comedy film by the same name). 

This little guy is headed by Doug Laming, the same bar creative who designed the drink regimes at The Smoking Panda, Brix Distillery and Rabbit Hole Bar.

The Big Easy pays homage to New Orleans’ famed attractions, restaurant and bar precincts and musical heritage.  Set across two levels, it’s a vibing mash-up of districts, covering Bourbon Street, the French Quarter and the city’s embedded voodoo culture. There’s also an entire feature wall dedicated to beer.

You’ll also want to make sure you work your way back to the open-air courtyard where you’ll find a New Orleans-inspired mural created by Sydney artist Kentaro Yoshida. Head up another level and you’ll also find a voodoo-esque masterpiece by Natty B, illuminated by purple strip lighting and made complete with a whole lot of suspended ferns.

On the boozy side of things, it’s pretty hard to know where to start. The team here has an extensive cocktail list with a heap of signatures like The Big Easy Fizz, a groovy take on a Ramos Gin Fizz that swaps out gin for a big blend of Sazerac Rye and Southern Comfort Black, combined with ginger ale, lemon, bitters, egg white and a sprig of rosemary.

Special mention also goes to the “Basic Bitch”, packed with Tito’s and lychee, and the “Manspritz” decked in Aperol, Stone’s Green Ginger Wine and Pabst Blue Ribbon.

If you’d rather shoot the breeze over a glass of wine or beer, there’s plenty of that too—The Big Easy has an assortment of American beers, rosé (spelled “rozay” on the menu) and pops (that’s the bubbly stuff), which you can hit at the bar.

On top of this, the bar boasts a Cajun and Creole-style menu including blackened Atlantic cod with creole rub, creamed corn and toasted buckwheat; a Big Easy Jambalaya packed with Andouille sausage and shrimp and even a staple serving of homemade beef jerky flavoured with Tabasco chipotle and southern comfort.

And in true NOLA form, The Big Easy will also host some killer live music. The Big Easy’s “Sessions in the sun” will be hosted every Sunday and yes, you’ll want to make sure you get in at the end of every week.

Image credit: Supplied