The Thousands

A strong argument can be made that if Darlinghurst had cobblestone streets, it’d make a list of World Suburbs. The desirable houses, the tree-lined streets, the bars and cafes and galleries – everything else is there. Cobblestone those old streets, and you’d have an icon on your hands. All of this makes it one of the most interesting places in Sydney, and smack bang in the middle of it is the Kirketon.

The (boutique) hotel itself is all dark hues and mood lighting, a palette referencing the darker suave of Darlinghurst and the charming sleaze of Kings Cross, just down the road. It’s pleasantly tasteful while also being decadent enough to imagine a Mickey Rourke character indulging in a four day coke binge. Standard rooms are small, but all you should really doing here is sleeping and showering, both of which are more than adequately catered to. There’s no rooms service but local eateries will deliver – arguably a better result anyway – and the staff have solid recommendations.

The Art Lounge downstairs is fine, but hidden behind the lobby is the lauded Eau De Vie, which, before midnight, might be the best cocktail bar in the city. This all makes the Kirketon an equally well-positioned place to start a night, or successfully finish one.