roguish ventures: Picco_Leo
roguish ventures is about doing something different. It’s about finding excellence in the smallest detail.
In particular, finding the right excellence for the right moment.
Those who know me know that roguish ventures has been in the works for a very long time.
It just never seemed to fit in with my life.
But now it does, and I am proud to bring this edition of roguish ventures to you.
This week, my journey takes me to Picco_Leo.
picco_leo
So often, when it comes to bars, I find myself going to the places I have heard about.
Maybe Sammy? Absolutely, it is #43 of top bars in the world.
Old Mates Place? Quite possibly, the best rooftop bar in Sydney.
The Establishment? Well, we have all heard about it, but not necessarily all for the best reasons.
These bars are locations.
Places you go for the sake of going at that particular bar.
Picco_Leo is not one of those.
Sequestered between Felix & Leo, it’s quite likely you have not even recognised that it’s there. And that’s ok, because (at least to me) that is kind of the point.
This isn’t a bar that you say ‘let’s grab the boys and meet here for a crazy night on the drinks.” Nor is it a bar that screams cute girls dinner date.
This bar whispers in your ear, with the occasional nibble.
The exterior gives the impression of a classic Italian café, with cane chairs and white table clothes adorning the exterior. Walking in, you get the warm, comfortable ambiance of tungsten lighting on natural wood, highlighted with various gold and copper accents. It’s minimal, but not so much that you are left wondering, ‘is that it?’. It’s music gives you just enough energy to be lively, without needing to rip your shirt off and dance on the bar. And, the ambiance is dark enough that you can quite comfortably cozy up to that certain someone without worrying about the awkwardness of PDA.
The bar itself is equally minimal. The happy hour menu contains some great Sydney classics, such as an Aperol Spritz, and a Mini Martini. The standard cocktail menu also has 4 signature cocktails, each a separate take on a classic cocktail. These include such delights as a Strawberry Negroni, a Banana & Miso Old Fashioned, a fruity gin spritz and even a rhubarb spritz. They are also, moderately priced at $17-$18 each. More importantly, the bartenders actually know what they are doing. While chatting to the bartenders, I got a recommendation for a London Fog, and it was delightful.
There is a selection of food, but why would you eat here? Felix and Restaurant Leo are right next door? And if you want something else, you are right in the heart of the CBD Merivale district. It is impossible to leave there and not find a better spot to eat.
And that’s ok.
Because, once again, it’s not about that.
It’s about Romance.
My amazing bartenders for the evening.
This isn’t your 1 Corinthians kind of romance. This isn’t cute. Nor is it heart-warming.
It’s reckless, spontaneous, and doesn’t quite make sense.
It’s like a summer romance with a beautiful dark-haired Italian woman, riding around on a bright red Vespa. Is it conventional? Not really.
Is it going to last? Probably not.
But does everyone look at you while you ride past and think ‘I wish that was me’?
Absolutely.
And that, is Picco_Leo.
Yes, there are better places to get food.
Yes, there are better places to get cocktails.
And yet, if I was to suggest a date bar for a summer afternoon in Sydney, I don’t know that I could come up with a better option then here.
