Its sky-high backbar signals that Proof is a serious cocktail bar, but the laidback staff strip away any sense of snobbishness. Bar manager Reece Southern’s book-sized menu is full of clever surprises and complex flavour combinations. Be brave and choose the most whimsically named cocktail (Shogun’s Favor, perhaps) and let it take you on an adventure.

TRY: Punching up your home cocktails with takeout syrupsPhotography by: Callum Johnston @Callumjohnstonphotography