Things are heating up in Sydney as the city emerges, bleary eyed, from over 100 days of lockdown. Here’s a roundup of some of the city’s newly opened venues, designed by the best of the best.

Menzies bar

One of four new venues in Sydney CBD’s heritage listed Shell House near Wynyard Station, Menzies Bar opens its doors Thursday, 14 October 2021.

Paying homage to the historic Menzies Hotel – a former nearby building that was demolished in 2017 to make way for Wynyard Place Tower – Menzies Bar weaves together history and hospitality with a nod to European grandeur. Restored and renovated by Woods Bagot in collaboration with stylist Anna Hewett the space sees black and gold tones combine luxuriously, resulting in a warm and stately venue. An expansive and sleek blackened steel bar runs through the centre of the space, with black cast windows cladding the perimeter. Local artist Mikey Freedom designed works throughout the bar that were inspired by the building’s history, including framed artworks, bespoke tiles, tables and steel sculptures.

Brett Robinson, Point Group CEO and restaurateur says that he hopes the bar will be an “essential part of life in the city”. “Raising a glass to the return of hospitality in this new space will be so good,” he adds.

Interior design by Woods Bagot with styling by Anna Hewett | Photography by Jonny Valiant

Menzies Bar
shellhouse.com.au/menzies-bar

Ace Hotel

Designed by Melbourne’s renowned Flack Studio, Ace Hotel Sydney in Surry Hills is the first of the iconic United States’ Ace Hotel Group to reach Australia. Located in Tyne House, a former brick factory, the hotel features bespoke furnishings, artworks and detailing, as well as guest room furniture, joinery and lighting custom designed by Flack Studio. The subdued palette reflects the Australian landscape, with ochre carpet and eucalyptus-toned upholstery and tiles.

“We love the country’s distinctive brand of modernism, particularly in the use of local organic materials, and were lucky enough to find a perfectly modernist partner in Flack Studio. David’s eye for colour and space is completely singular – a dream design collaborator for our first hotel in Australia,” says Ace Hotel Group president Brad Wilson.

acehotel.com/sydney

Design
Flack Studio
flackstudio.com.au

Photography
Anson Smart
ansonsmart.com

Margaret

Named after his late mother, Margaret, Neil Perry’s new Double Bay restaurant was shrouded in hype when it was announced earlier this year. But the restaurant’s plans to open in June were foiled as Sydney was plunged into lockdown just before the opening weekend, resulting in 20,000 cancelled reservations.

The restaurant, which sits on the ground level of the Pallas House development by boutique developer Fortis, exudes an Art Deco charm with its 20th Century typeface and curved corner windows. Tan leather couches and pops of deep green are subtly lit by warm, golden overhead lights and wall sconces. Artworks by Gabrielle Penfold adorn the soft white walls, depicting shucked oysters and fish, a tantalising taste of what to expect on the menu.

margaretdoublebay.com

Design
David Caon
laker.studio

ACME
acme-co.com.au

Construction
Calida Projects
calida.com.au

Photography
Liz Keene

Teahouse Crown Sydney

Opened in May, not many people had the opportunity to visit Teahouse Crown Sydney before Covid-19 saw the doors shut – but the opportunity to visit the sumptuous space is back once more. Opulent in detail and theatrical in demeanour, the Bates Smart-designed space references Chinese Imperial style of the 19th Century, with embroidered silk fabrics, embossed wallpapers and plush, bespoke jewel-toned carpets.

“It shows an absolute attention to detail resolution and meticulous crafting to understand the materiality and, in this instance, a theatrical interior. It transports you to another place, it’s beautiful, it’s an escapist experience,” Jeff Copolov, director at Bates Smart, tells IndesignLive.

crownsydney.com.au/indulge/teahouse

Design
Bates Smart
batessmart.com

Photography
Peter Clarke
peterclarke.com.au