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Siren sits behind heavy curtains on the second floor of a Lavelle Road building. The reveal, when you walk in, feels almost theatrical: the room glows in deep reds, small pockets of light land on velvet seats, and the long bar comes with a lit-up dragon that keeps tabs on how many drinks you’ve had. Above the centre of the room hangs an antique canoe refashioned into a light installation. You’re already impressed.
It’s intimate in the way that it may not be for you if you’re hankering for a hectic weekend night out. You can hear the ice tinkling about inside a cocktail shaker and the murmur of low conversation inside the room. It’s an excellent bar for people who prefer evenings that unfold gently: date night, slow dinners, long overdue catch-ups that don’t want to compete with loud music.
The cocktails themselves are shaped around Chinese festivals and flavours. Spring Sunsets, for instance, is brightly peachy, with orange notes. Double Seven mixes whiskey, fruit and chocolate to deliver something playful. Remember Jie is soft, floral and silky, while Bang Bang is bold, with spicy flavours inspired by Sichuan chicken. But if you’d rather stick to familiar ground, the classics are solidly dependable.
The bar snacks are light but not boring: century peanuts soaked in soy, beer-battered prawns, sticky pork ribs, chicken skewers, grilled mushrooms. Plates arrive quickly. They’re light enough for you to keep drinking instead of shifting focus to food.
The vibe: Dark, warm, romantic and quietly dramatic. Lavelle’s home to a lot of bars, but few feel this comfortable while retaining their edge.
The drinks: Chinese festival-inspired signatures, plus eight reliable classics.
The food: Small Chinese plates that keep the evening light and steady.
Time Out tip: Sit near the bar for the best atmosphere and the best pours.