Vespertine

The verdict:

Hidden beneath George Street in a heritage-listed sandstone basement, Vespertine is built for lingering. Velvet banquettes, aged brass, marble and burl wood finishes set the tone, with a dedicated stage and custom sound system bringing in a nightly lineup of live musicians, bands and DJs.

"Like all of our venues we want Vespertine to be original, boundary pushing and elevated, whilst remaining accessible, fun and affordable," says co-owner and sommelier Nick Hildebrandt. "We want it to be a place for everybody, whether people are in for a quick drink before or after a show, celebrating a milestone or on a date."

The drinks program keeps things classic, with cocktails done properly and a room designed to shift as the night goes on. It's a fitting match for the name: Vespertine means "occurring in the evening."

The space is the work of long-term collaborator Pascale Gomes-McNabb, alongside Chris Grinham from H&E Architects.

Vespertine is open from 5pm, seven days a week.