Reign

Reign is a light-filled 140-seat bar with brass detailing, hues of pink blush and gold, plus marble on nearly every surface – from the tables to the bar and floor. The arched window overlooking Town Hall and George Street and the opulent chandelier make for a grand entrance.

Reign’s 150-plus champagnes and sparkling wines are sourced from some of France’s most renowned producers – such as Perrier-Jouët, Mumm, Dom Pérignon and Pierre Gimonnet – as well as Australia and Italy. You can go vintage or non-vintage, order by the glass, or tour a region or a producer with a champagne flight. The most expensive bottle is a 2006 Salon “S” Le Mesnil Brut, which’ll set you back a cool $1880.

The wine, spirit and cocktail selections are just as extensive. Run by an all-women bar team, drinks are garnished with decorations such as origami crowns, paper planes and music sheets, and there are more than 180 whiskies and 200 wines from around the globe. Thanks to Coravin technology, the bar can preserve open bottles of wine longer by pouring without removing the cork, meaning more available by the glass.

The food is designed to work with specific champagnes (ask the sommelier for more information). Past menus have included house-made goat cheese tortellini with watercress pesto; duck liver mousse served with a chive crumpet; and a thyme and honey ice-cream brownie sandwich – all elegantly plated, and, like the space, very photogenic.

On weekends, the venue is open for champagne brunch, serving king brown mushroom and pork fried rice; smoked salmon crème fraiche with pikelets and salmon roe; and ricotta fritters with orange, chocolate mousse and aged sherry ice-cream.