Sabrage Bar

After a social media event last night, a friend and I decided to have a glass of wine (before going home); there is not many places surrounding Vodafone HO in the viaduct! Luckily the Sofitel Hotel is opposite that has a resident, ostentatious bar called «Sabrage». What an unusual name I thought…
«Sabrage»: a technique to open a champagne bottle with a saber used for ceremonial occasions.
I learnt something. There was a long wait at the bar before anyone acknowledged our presence — which is not acceptable at such a place. There was no music and the atmosphere wasn’t very welcoming on this occasion. We each ordered a glass of wine — the least expensive was $ 12 a pop — for a very average Shiraz.
There were complimentary nuts on offer, which didn’t appeal — too sweet or hot? «Sabrage» needs some love, just saying.

Sabrage is pretty swanky for a hotel bar. The staff are immaculately dressed and everything is just so shiny. Not too mention, you get not one, but three different types of free nuts (two sweet & one spicy) with your drink order. I think the highlight for me though, was their semi-​enclosed leather booths — comfy and somewhat private.
I feel like the service could do some work. We stood awkwardly at the edge of the bar for 15mins wondering if it was table service before we finally were acknowledged. To be fair, there was one guy on but a simple «I’ll be with you in a minute, take a seat» would’ve sufficed.
The wine-​list is also a bit dreary. Wither Hills is $ 12 a glass. I always think it’s silly to have popular supermarket wines on wine lists because everyone knows how much they’d pay at their local Countdown, but I suppose they’re catering to an international market.
I would definitely return to sit in the comfy leather booths if I was in the area and in need of a beverage but not work a crosstown trip in my opinion!