The runway is ready and the tower is about to give clearance for take-off. By the end of this week, Canberra should have another new bar right in the heart of the city. Strap yourselves in and prepare to be transported to the Caribbean aboard the Highball Express.

With high ceilings, white walls and balcony breezes, Highball Express has a wonderfully warm feeling that is perfect for the summer season. The brainchild of Ant Arena, Dean Brown, Lorenzo Focarile and Sam Carlini, this is the new bar that takes the dark, warm and cosy aspects of sister bar Molly, and turns them on their head.

With palm trees, tiles, stuffed parrots and huge, overhanging cane lampshades, there is little doubt as to the vibe that highball is aiming for. While it all very much looks like the intended destination somewhere near the equator, the boys have also included a little nod to the original Highball Express – the nickname of a plane that took Americans to the Caribbean islands during prohibition. To see what it is, you need only approach the bar.

Dean Brown ran his hand of the surface of the steel counter, feeling the thousands of rivets running under his fingers. “Isn’t it great? The whole bar is kind of like an aeroplane wing…” Indeed it is. While not being overt, taking in the side profile of the structure reveals the clever design element.

The one thing the bars have in common is that feeling of being in another place. Whether heading up or downstairs, both venues have an attention to detail that thoroughly deliver on each concept, providing an environment that is easy to relax in and then thoroughly enjoy thanks to another killer drinks list.

With the lighter feel comes lighter flavours, with sweet rums and gentle gins being something of a selección del día (or pick of the day). Head bartender, Noriel Caleb, has had great fun putting together the huge range of options available. At last count there was over 500 rums lining metres and metres of shelves. The centrepiece – a collection of twelve barrels behind the bar – is the production hub for a dynamic range of cocktails that are slowly aging to bring forward rich and dense flavours. It will be fascinating to taste the results.

There’s no beers on tap (but there will be cocktails.. oh, yeah!), and the wine list is very focussed. Think of your traditional sources of Caribbean influence – Spain, France and Argentina – along with some local favourites including Mount Majura and Three Lads Wine.

What a shame it is that we can’t kick back with a delicious cigar and truly take advantage of the balcony that makes the most of the view across the city. It would be perfect in one of the wrought-iron chairs with an aged and spiced rum. What better way to watch the sun go down on another Canberra day?

We’ll take a ticket on the first flight for the Highball Express, please! Join us from 6:00pm this Thursday!