A royal introduction is not guaranteed, but with three bars (and a nightclub - but that's a whole other night out) there's plenty more than just potential romance to draw crowds.
Best known as the place where a girl from Tassie found her Prince Charming and ended up living happily ever after in a castle under the watchful eyes of the gossip rags, Slip Inn has a big reputation to live up to. However, hopeful girlies are more likely to end up with a lech who spills beer on their shoes than with royalty, so it's lucky that the Slip Inn has plenty more to offer than just drunken romance.
If you can get an early mark from work, the Garden Bar is the place to soak up the last of the afternoon sun and pass that champagne flush off as sunburn. Slip Bar has more of a pub feel thanks to pool tables and bar stools, while Sand Bar adopts a lounge persona. With chilled music and cushy ottomans, it's ideal for recovering your composure before re-entering the sweaty fray.
Drinks-wise, the basics are well covered. The wine selection is mostly house-brand, but there's more than enough for the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) crew. For something more adventurous, try a Tree of Life cocktail from Sand Bar, mixing spice-infused Absolut and Medos Honey Vodka with apple laced with manzanilla and Liquor 43. Alternatively jugs are cheap and plentiful, coming with a chicken breast meal on Mondays to Thursdays for the laddishly titled '$15 breasts and jugs'.
Shelley Tustin
