Photography by Holly Hawkins
On Little Collins Street, you’ll find a small red doorway. Head upstairs through Polēpolē and wander through their rustic safari decor to arrive at Glamp Cocktail Bar – an East African-inspired indoor tent venue with more than a few surprises.
You’re instantly met with a giant porcelain rhino, purchased from a charity auction at Taronga Zoo. Repurposed gas lanterns hang from the ceiling, giving the place a dimly-lit feel, as if it’s just after sunset. A beautiful wood-panelled bar lines one wall and spirit bottles glow from a backlight, enticing you to start trying their cocktails.
The majority of the venue is taken up by a massive tent full of small tables and a wraparound bench. Decked out with throw pillows and rugs, it makes you truly get the sense you’re in the wild.
The cocktails are incredibly intricate but far from intimidating. The menu has something for all tastes, utilising in-house infused spirits to bring unique and exciting flavours to their drinks. They also boast an incredibly comprehensive spirit menu for those seeking a simpler beverage.
The aim is for you to come in, relax and enjoy your drink. Alcohol shouldn’t be exclusionary or elitist, the bartender tells me, explaining that they aim to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for anybody wanting a creative cocktail.
Glamp Cocktail Bar’s signature drink is the Happy Glamper. It comes served in a teacup and saucer with a crouton utilising the leftover stone fruit used to infuse the gin – creating an apricot jam-covered treat that compliments your drink. The apricot flavour isn’t overpowering, creeping up on you. The sour of the lemon is dulled by the delicious gin while the Prosecco adds a little extra kick. It’s incredibly refreshing as the flavours roll over you, no single element lingering for longer than the next, leaving you wanting another sip.
The Lasa Salama is served Tom Collins-style in a tall glass loaded with ice. It’s incredibly sweet with the vanilla and peach bouncing off each other, almost like they’re dancing on your taste buds. The chamomile they’ve infused into the vodka comes as an afterthought once the ballet of sweetness dies down, leaving you with a content, earthy flavour.
Each of Glamp Cocktail Bar’s drinks leaves you relishing every sip, wanting to let the wonderfully strong and unique flavours linger. It’s the perfect place for after-work beverages or to settle in for a great night out.