Passing through the velvet curtains into the Apollo Inn, a 30-seat cocktail bar by chef and restaurateur Andrew McConnell and his partner Jo McGann, feels like stepping into another era.

This old world-inspired spot occupies the ground floor of McDonald House – a neo-Renaissance style building – and is full of cosy seating, low lighting and warm timber panelling reminiscent of the early 20th century.

Behind the bar, you’ll find signature cocktails, four types of Martini (Dry, Dirty, Caffé and Gibson) and a concise list of wines by the bottle and glass. Guests also have access to Gimlet's 300-bottle cellar.

It wouldn’t be a McConnell venture without excellent food. There’s no real kitchen here, but about 10 small rotating dishes are available daily. Think scallops, oysters, beef tartare, and a prawn club sandwich. There’s always dessert, too, such as crème caramel or a profiterole with ice-cream and chocolate sauce.

McConnell and McGann worked with Acme, the same design firm behind Gimlet, to bring Apollo Inn to life. Its name honours the history of Cavendish House, the elegant Russell Street building that holds McConnell’s award-winning restaurant Gimlet just 50 metres away. The initial structure on that site was the Apollo Inn, which was demolished in the early 1900s.