Camp

Spa Esprit’s House is the new kid on the suddenly hip and happening Dempsey Hill. Part-restaurant, part-café and part-spa, House also, erm, houses Camp, a bar that, contrary to what you may think, is neither targeted specifically at the limp wristed nor military men. The name does, however, reference the fact the building used to be an army barracks, but you’d never know looking at it now. The interior is quirkily decorated with exposed brick and concrete beams, and lighting wires hanging off the ceiling, and boasts eight function rooms with unusual names such as Kubrick, which you can reserve for your own private party. There’s nothing artificial about CAMP’s new cocktail menu – fresh from mixology boot camp under the watchful eye of Melbourne-based bar whiz Matthew Bax. Bottled juices and cream-based concoctions are a no-no; at CAMP it’s all handpressed juice and only the finest spirits like Havana Club rum and Mumm champagne. For larger parties we suggest Group Therapy – both the Prohibition Long Island Iced Tea Party ($55), a potent brew that comes in a beautiful Chinese teapot, and Tiffin Punch ($59) – a new twist on an old Parisian cocktail, delightfully refreshing and enough for four. Alternatively, bring out the inner hobo with a swig of Jamaican Black Strap Buck.