This uber-cool lounge bar is a spot where jazz musicians beat out syncopated rhythms, DJs spin funky beats, and bartenders pour with flair.
Layered in oriental inspiration, Hippo is a buddha decorated nightspot with ruby-blushed hues, woody touches and rice paper lanterns glowing across the bar. Climb the stairs to discover this drinking destination, which sits perched above Canberra's bustling cafe strip.
Hippo's bartenders know how to flair, so cocktail orders serve up extra theatrical entertainment. Watch them as they juggle, shake and pour for drinking pleasure.
The signature Hippo Martini is made with chilled Polish Luksusowa potato vodka, creme de gingembre, fresh apple, elderflower extracts and lime juice.
Another popular concoction is the Jet Li, created with lemon and watermelon liqueur, cloudy apple juice, fresh watermelon and lime.
For a tropical drink exploration, try the Revinado cocktail, muddled together with fresh lychees, pineapple, passion fruit, lychee juice, sugar syrup, lime and ginger beer.
The floor is dotted with a sea of red leather ottomans, packed with communities of murmuring drinkers.
With room to dance, live jazz takes hold on Wednesday nights, and DJs spin funk, house and lounge tunes around the rest of the week.
Hippo has been nominated for numerous awards, and won the title of Best Bar in Canberra at the 2005 Australian Hotel Association Awards.
Scott Murray
