Scott M.
Yelp
It's taken a while for us to get around to visiting The Everleigh, but, last night we finally had the chance. It wasn't our intention, actually -- we set off to the Kodiak Club (another favourite) but they were wall to wall packed with a private function. So up Brunswick we wandered and over to Everleigh.
We got there five minutes early, which was probably for the best, as being the first ones in we were able to get what, to us, was the ideal seat (one of the booths as you first walk in).
You've read the other reviews, you know how great this place is, but I think the key to their success is that they truly, truly, want YOU to be happy, as the customer. They don't want to just give you a list of 20 cocktails and have you choose, they want to learn what you like, make suggestions, get feedback and really enjoy their craft, and your happiness.
One of the highlights for the evening for us was the fact that we recognised form The Waiting Room staff working at Everleigh now (after TWR began it's deathspiral, having left the Rockpool Group) -- this meant that many of our preferences and likes/dislikes were already known, which sped up the process considerably.
My wife and I started with items off the Cocktail List, just to get a sense for their craft, but by the fourth drink, we gave only the vaguest hint of content, and asked them to have fun. I think the best drink my wife had was El Guapo, which was a bit like a bloody Mary without the tomato juice (and, in my opinion, better).
I DO wish they had a bit more in the way of nibbles; the snacks are great, don't get me wrong, and we enjoyed what we had very much, but, since we like to settle in for a long evening rather than move from place to place, it would have been great if we had a few more bar-snacks, or possibly even some hot food, to keep us going - not a big deal, after our fourth drinks we popped downstairs to Belle's Diner for dinner (also a first visit) and that worked out great.
A great spot, and I know we'll be back soon - I sense that some of my cocktail challenges I gave to the staff at The Waiting Room will be VERY well received here (garlic+strawberry+cinnamon anyone?)...