We’re not ones to call a spade a delving instrument, so we’ll cut to the chase. Hylin’s pocket-sized back bar in the leafy streets of West Leederville is a little ripper. It somehow combines smart, almost hipster vibes with good drinks mixing, cheery staff and an everyman sentiment that makes it cool for a drink or an afternoon of drinks.
There are a few things to eat here. Maple and paprika smoked almonds, marinated olives, a pork taco and a ceviche tostada among others but if you’re a discerning drinker you’re here for the cocktails and the small, but fit-for-purpose wine list.
The skilled barkeeps can make you a refined classic, but we suggest you try their more adventurous ideas in a glass. Their three-rum daiquiri includes Appleton Estate, Bacardi and Havana Club. A mango chilli margarita adds egg white, and their Home Brew is a cocktail of Ratu rum (from Fiji, of all places), falernum (a tropically flavoured simple syrup), pineapple juice and craft beer. Go figure.
We did and it gets a thumbs-up. Hylin’s Back Bar is the epitome of a low-key neighbourhood bar. The entrance is through the car park behind a café. Which makes it even more cool.
