Four Pillars to open Sydney bar

Four Pillars is opening its Sydney ‘Laboratory’ next Friday, which will feature a gin shop, a lab with a working still and Eileen’s bar, a destination cocktail bar.

Eileen’s Bar is the love child of Four Pillars Creative Drinks Director James Irvine, who collaborated on the bar design through virtual reality with world-leading, Oslo-based bar design agency Behind Bars, led by Jaye O’Dwyer.

Eileen’s Bar will be open from 5pm Friday, 12 June and Saturday, 13 June for a maximum 24 guests who will be invited for a 90-minute visit, with seating times on both dates at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm.

Irvine said: “The Gin Lab menu highlights the perfection of simplicity through some of our favourite signature serves and classic drinks. Eileen’s Bar focuses on a variety of drink styles, ingredients, producers and techniques, taking into consideration new gin releases, season and of course sitting in the space itself. Both menus stay true to the brand promise of being fun, approachable and foremost – delicious. We look forward to seeing you at the bar.”

Irvine has designed a drinks menu of gin classics and modern masterpieces utilising the full Four Pillars family of gins. There is also a range of snacks designed by Made From Gin maestro Matt Wilkinson and a curated selection of beer, cider and wine from several of Four Pillars’ best mates in the business.

The overarching development of the Surry Hills Laboratory has been led by Four Pillars Co-founder Matt Jones and Experience Director Leah Mackenzie, in concert with Yasmine Ghoniem from YSG Studio (formerly Amber Road).

Jones said: “At our Four Pillars Distillery home in Healesville, Cameron and his team make the best gin in the world. When we thought about what we wanted to bring to Sydney, we were determined to take that same passion for making, creativity and experimentation and focus it on the delicious drinks you can make with our gins. And we wanted to serve it all up with our signature love of warm hospitality and beautiful design.

“The result is the Four Pillars Laboratory in Surry Hills, a delicious playground for Sydney’s gin lovers and a new bucket list destination for gin fanatics around the world.”

Eileen’s Bar is simply Four Pillars’ dream gin bar come to life. At its heart is an asymmetrical, Juniper Blue concrete bar with three bar stations and 20 stools, positioned to perfectly see gin drinks being made.

There will also be tables for small groups, comfortable banquettes and a set of three cosy two-tops in the shadows at the back of the bar.