Nick & Nora's Parramatta

Nick & Nora’s Parramatta is a cocktail and Champagne bar on the Parramatta skyline, set 26 floors above the city. Its style takes cues from the post-Prohibition era and the fictional Nick and Nora Charles from The Thin Man, with an emphasis on polished hospitality, elegant interiors and drinks made with care. The venue is fully seated with table service and requires smart casual dress, making it better suited to a planned evening than a casual drop-in pub visit.

The drinks list is the main attraction. Bartenders prepare signature cocktails alongside more than 50 Champagnes from well-known houses, with whiskies, cognacs and other spirits also available from the back bar. The current featured cocktail, Celtic Heights, combines Jameson Irish Whiskey with Becherovka, cola syrup, bitters and saline for an unusual, layered serve. Non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails are available as well, so guests who are not drinking can still take part in the experience.

Food is designed for sharing and pairing with drinks rather than a traditional full restaurant meal. The sample menu includes local oysters, caviar, artisanal cheeses, charcuterie and canapé-style bites, with The Charles’ Chef’s Selection also listed. The venue’s events programme adds to the sense of occasion, with roaming saxophonists bringing jazz and modern renditions into the room. Other experiences include a Champagne Tower pouring at 5pm and a Champagne shoey option, where guests can order a bottle and drink the bubbles from specially made glass shoes.

Nick & Nora’s suits after-work drinks, a pre-dinner rendezvous, birthdays and private celebrations. Bookings can be made for drinks as well as food, and exclusive spaces are available for events. Children and other minors are not permitted, so it is not a family venue. There is a smoking terrace and a separate non-smoking terrace, while the venue is generally accessible apart from a small step in the Champagne Parlour. With its elevated Parramatta setting, dedicated cocktail focus and theatrical Champagne experiences, it is aimed at adults looking for a dressed-up night out rather than an everyday bar stop.