Pelicano

Enter Pelicano and you could be forgiven for thinking you've stumbled into someone's beach house. It's all so clean and bright, with nary a dark tone to be found. The large room is split into three levels. The highest – which has a very, very low ceiling – houses the impressive brass bar, while another drinking area sits just down a short set of stairs. Down another level is the dining area and kitchen.

The decor is super slick – there are plush couches and white bar stools to park at. Roy Lichtenstein prints command prime real estate on the wall. There's also maritime paraphernalia, as well as the odd porthole. The nautical theme isn’t subtle; it extends even to the blue and white sailor-shirt clad bartenders.

On the beer front, there's 3 Sheets, Singha, Peroni and even an organic beer from Italy (this is Double Bay after all). The wine list reads several pages and includes a healthy selection of Australian and Italian bottles. There are even a couple of sake choices on the menu. On the cocktail front, it's standards all the way. Try a Mint Julep, Dark and Stormy or a Margarita.

To eat, there's shared plates such as charcuterie and popcorn prawns, plus larger mains built around proteins.

Pelicano won't be for everyone, but if dingy drinking holes bring you down, then set sail for Double Bay pronto.