Monkey Magic
Editorial
Monkey Magic is a desperately cool addition to an already bustling Mecca of wine bar/lounge/dining rooms in Surry Hills. Designed to the max with a slick fit out and handfuls of cash thrown at it, Monkey Magic fits slimly into a renovated warehouse (what else?), oozing street cred and sympathetic lighting. Those who know the Surry Hills drill will know what to expect. The premise is Japanese-ish, in that it's mostly themed around sake and sushi, but with the odd twist. The technical term is Japanese fusion. It's as good a theme as any, though, and at the very least you're guaranteed fresh flavours and some fun cocktails.
The cocktails are truly a talking point. They're made with integrity and you won't find anything similar in the vicinity. The Ageha Tokyo Punch is exactly how punch always should be: loaded with fat chunks of fruit, light on fizz and chock full of booze, cleverly disguised with more fruit. The Ageha option is a delicious combo featuring passionfruit and rum. If you're boggled by the choice, try asking the bar staff. They're the experts and are happy to help out if necessary.
Money Magic is a swish establishment and attracts an equally swish crowd. Just don't ask any of the staff about the name. Presumably it's to cash in on the now way-too-cool-for-school cult status that Monkey Magic (the TV show) seems to have gained among the inner-city urbanites, a la 21 Jump Street. But they wouldn't say that ...
Jessica Miller, November 2009
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