NOW EXPERIENCING:Heartbreak High’s Josh Heuston on his favourite Australian bars
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Heartbreak High’s Josh Heuston on his favourite Australian bars

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 03 Nov 2023

By
Lara Chan-Baker

If you’re lucky, you might run into the Netflix heartthrob at one of these Melbourne or Sydney venues.

Josh Heuston is a worldly 26 year old. At 18, he was scouted by a modelling agent while waiting tables at a party. Since then, the Sydney-born model and actor has shot campaigns, shows and movies across the globe, ticking off bucket-list hotspots like Japan, Miami, Greece and Morocco. If you didn’t know him from his parts in Dive Club, Bali 2002 or Thor: Love And Thunder, you certainly know him as heartthrob (and heartbreaker) Dusty in the Netflix smash hit Heartbreak High. In fact, your journal is probably filled with scrawls of ‘Josh Heuston 4eva’ – we know ours is.

Since that breakthrough role, Josh has been splashed across ads for Fendi and Louis Vuitton and graced the cover of GQ. And if his Instagram is anything to go by, his life is non-stop luxury jetsetting. Right now, for example, he’s in Budapest – a city renowned for its nightlife – shooting HBO’s much-anticipated prequel series Dune: The Sisterhood. You’d think Australia might lose its shine when you’re lucky enough to travel so broadly, but not for Josh. “I think Australia’s food and drink is among the best in the world,” he tells Dan’s Daily. “Australia just knows how to make a great cocktail, plus I have my usual spots that make them just how I like it.”

What does he like, exactly? A Tommy’s Margarita is his drink of choice, made with Patrón Tequila. Josh, a longtime fan of the brand, recently became one of their ambassadors. He beams about his trip to the motherland – AKA a visit to Hacienda Patrón in Atotonilco El Alto, in the Mexican state of Jalisco – “It was incredible. I’d go back right now if I could. I’ve always loved drinking Patrón, but seeing the craft, love, passion and history that goes into making it made it that much more special,” Josh says.

When he is in Australia, he splits time across Melbourne and his hometown of Sydney, where there’s no shortage of venues he loves. “My perfect night out is when I’m with all of my best friends,” Josh says. “First we’d go somewhere with really good food, a bar overlooking the ocean, for an ice-cold beer or a few cocktails. Then we’d find somewhere we can have a boogie until our feet get sore.” It’s no surprise then that Bondi institution Icebergs is the first cab off the rank when we ask him about his favourite spots. “The view is the instant drawcard, but they also have the new Patrón El Cielo.” With two decades at the top of the game, the team at Icebergs know what they’re doing when they serve up their modern Italian fare, and a much-publicised seven-month renovation in 2022 made the already luxurious space sharper than ever (there isn’t a dud seat in the house). Do as Josh does and pop in for a plate of their perfect Clarence River school prawns.
Over in Sydney’s Paddington, you’ll find another of Josh’s special spots – the perfect place to sidle up to the bar and sip on a Tommy’s Marg. El Primo Sanchez is an ode to Mexico’s vintage cocktail bars; a swanky establishment where tequila and mezcal take centre stage. Co-owners Martin Hudak, Vince Lombardo and Stefano Catino might also own Maybe Sammy, which recently took out spot 15 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list, but it’s El Primo Sanchez that wins Josh’s heart for its mastery of Mexican flavours, aesthetic and flair. “To be a great bar, the drinks need to be perfect – not being happy with your cocktail sucks. It needs to have good music – no elevator tunes. And be kinda cozy, because big sterile spaces lose the vibe.” Thankfully El Primo Sanchez checks every box.
If Prohibition-era glamour is more your schtick, along with cocktails crafted with extreme precision and skill, then Josh’s next pick will have you buzzing. Eau De Vie has outposts in both Sydney and Melbourne and Josh confirms both are excellent. “I love a speakeasy. The vibe is private and it has that 1920s energy.” Bartending maestros in dapper uniforms mix up drinks with far-out flavour combinations that are anything but gimmicky. Let the smooth jazz wash over you as you appreciate the attention to detail, finely crafted menu and five-star service. Oh, and if you’re a whisky fan, this place will take you to heaven – both the Melbourne and Sydney venues offer impressive whisky lists and masterclasses to peruse in between cocktails.
When Josh is in Melbourne, he speeds over to fan favourite Gimlet at Cavendish House, another in iconic restaurateur Andrew McConnel’s lineup. “The food here is amazing,” he says. “It’s definitely one of my favourite places to eat and drink when I’m there.” In its year-and-a-half of existence, Gimlet is well on its way to reaching ‘Melbourne institution’ status. The high-ceilinged, marble-laden fit-out screams elegance, helped along by slick leather booths and chandeliers. The cocktails are brilliant, of course, but don’t look over the wine list designed by one of the country’s best sommeliers, Leanne Altmann. Achieving 84th place on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants longlist in 2022 (the only Australian venue to make an appearance), Gimlet impresses all who are lucky enough to venture inside.
From grandeur to grooves – it’s on to Her Bar, the multi-level bistro, bar, restaurant and music room in Melbourne’s CBD. With something exciting to explore on every floor, Her manages to balance sophistication and good times in equal measure. “This place is just so fun,” Josh says. “I’ve found myself here many a time at the end of a night out.” On the ground level you’ll stroll across a pink-terrazzo floor and into the bistro, where superb drinks and dishes abound. Go up a level and discover the Tokyo-style music room – Josh’s favourite – dedicated to all things vinyl. Venture up again to enjoy BKK, Her’s Thai streed-food grill restaurant. Then it’s just one more stop to the rooftop. It feels like a European garden party with its wrought-iron furnishings, geometric Italian marble floor and colourful wall tiles. Nab yourself a Charred Pineapple Margarita and join in the festivities. You might spot Josh in the fashionable crowd if you’re lucky.
Josh Heuston's favourite bars in Sydney
Sydney
Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
The splashy bar at this glamorous Bondi institution is a celebration of Sydney high life, with cocktails inspired as much by the timeless Italian playbook as the sparkling beachside setting.
Sydney
El Primo Sanchez
Tequila and mezcal take centre stage at this swanky cocktail bar and diner by some of the city’s sharpest operators who look to Mexico for inspiration and run with it in style.
Sydney
Eau-de-Vie Sydney
One of Sydney’s game-changing cocktail specialists finds a second life in a CBD basement, bringing Prohibition-era glitz and glamour to the Harbour City’s bar scene.
Josh Heuston's favourite bars in Melbourne
Melbourne
Eau-de-Vie
The cocktails and whiskies are taken seriously here, but a sense of wit and playfulness and a dash of theatre keep things light and make for 1920s speakeasy-style good times.
Melbourne
Gimlet at Cavendish House
The newest venture from Andrew McConnell, one of Melbourne’s favourite chefs, is big, glamorous and gorgeous and as focused on cocktails as it is on food.
Melbourne
Her Bar
The ground-level bistro-bar of the multilevel eating and drinking fun park called Her does sophisticated and fun in equal measure with one eye firmly on quality.
image credits: Jae Jun Kim
Authour image
Lara Chan-BakerWine lover, crumbed food-appreciator, and Editor in Chief at Dan's Daily.
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Drinks DirectorySydneyMelbourneKiller cocktailsDate nightMeal and a bevA+ spirits listFancy occasionTop notch wine listBarGreat tunesRoundupRestaurantRooftop
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