Then you’re in luck because the area’s latest drinking den is perhaps its most stylish. The iconic Greenwood may be one of the suburb’s eldest institutions but certainly doesn’t look it thanks to the recent revamp of the 1878 building which was first built (ironically) as a church. In 1992 it became a pub and today is perhaps now one of the sleekest offerings north of the bridge thanks to the efforts of SJB Interiors and owners Tilley & Wills.

SJB Interiors overhauled the Greenwood Hotel, introducing first and foremost a bevy of indoor foliage and greenery. Landscape designers The Plant Room used a custom steel fabricator to craft statement lighting for indoors, which has been partnered with a sculptural green piece from Loose Leaf, which sits front and centre in the iconic Chapel Bar. “We wanted to use the existing architecture to build on the textures and then add colour and fun,” says Nick Wills of the inspiration, “We found simple ways to complement the sandstone colour and make it pop with new greenery, outdoor furniture and plantings.”

Seamless integration has been the central focus of the revamp says Nick Wills, particularly as the building is a historic one. “The architecture of the original building is beautiful local sandstone with classic high, timber ceilings. The new design features throughout are intended to accentuate these features, rather than detract from the existing architecture. One of the major changes is that we have included a new external bar in the Northern Courtyard, which is great in terms of increasing efficiency, particularly during events and on the warmer summer days. Opening up the interior space and reinstating the natural light is also serving to draw more people to the interior spaces,” he explains.

The menu has also been updated at Greenwood bar and kitchen to reflect the new face of the pub. Group Executive Chef Brad Sloane and Head Chef Sam Matthews have created a vibrant new offering in terms of fare. But don’t worry, pub staples do remain from burgers to beer-battered fish, there’s just also now healthy dishes to indulge in, including the Hummus Super Bowl. The new cocktails are equally lavish. Stand-outs include the Roll Call and the Aloe Vera Margarita. The former is a fresh twist on the Cosmo, garnished with a fruit roll-up in homage to the school that the Greenwood was once also.

Greenwood Hotel sits at the foot of the Genworth Tower, opposite North Sydney Station on top of Greenwood Plaza. 36 Blue Street, North Sydney; greenwoodhotel.com, @greenwoodhotel.com.