40 different types of tea, many of them infusing the booze, makes this niche local a cheeky monkey.
Red Monkey Tea House is a new haunt balancing the cafe/bar divide like a high wire circus master, with a host of fine food and caffeine on offer by day, and some excellent tea-infused booze being concocted at night.
Step into the warm, tea light glow of this lovely little bar and feel the aches and pains of the daily grind float away. Helping you shift from action to relaxation is the Red Monkey's house specialty: spirits infused with an array of delicious teas. Head straight for the Hot Lips Houlihan, a shot of sake infused with gunpowder tea, pomegranate molasses, fresh mint and Aperol. Poured over crushed ice it has a splendid bittersweet bite.
Local 30-somethings swing into Red Monkey to plonk down on the plush leather stools, or sneak out to the back room and take in the '70s rainforest wallpaper (a must-see when visiting). For the alfresco drinker there is a lovely courtyard out the back, lit softly with tea lights and lanterns.
Red Monkey is all about keeping it local, and makes a point of supporting local producers through their food as well as giving support to local wineries and brewers, including Mountain Goat beers and T'Gallant wines.
Ben Maas
