Once a firm favourite for Sydney city’s worker bees, Verandah Bar and Restaurant unfortunately fell out of favour in recent years. But now the CBD venue is cementing its return, relaunching with a new look, a new menu, and a new name.

Located on Elizabeth Street in Sydney’s Martin Place, Social at Verandah is the reinvention of the former Verandah Bar and Restaurant. The revamp comes courtesy of owners Simon Tilley and Nick Wills from Tilley and Wills hospitality group and has its opening mid-May.

Tilley and Wills are no strangers to the Sydney social scene, having been involved in the likes of Oxford Arts Factory, Greenwood Hotel, Swanson Hotel Erskineville, The Balmain and Town Hall Hotel. But now their attention has turned to the concrete jungle of the CBD, within which they have attempted to create a green oasis from which to escape the hustle and bustle (emphasis on the hustle) outside.

Social at Verandah is a single-level venue that will include a slew of dining and drinking options within –  one of Sydney’s largest private dining rooms will sit alongside a lavish bar, and seating arrangements that include booths, lounges and a traditional fireplace. The oasis theme continues with the interiors, where tropical patterns and greenery mingle. The palette and finishes were inspired by Latin America, with timber and rattan favoured for furniture, and ample plants scattered throughout.

“The tiled balcony is a contemporary take on patterned encaustic courtyards with the dark timber and rattan finishes, contrasted against the hanging greenery throughout the space,” said lead design Stuart Krelle of his intention. “Continuing the jungle theme, the main wall of the dining room features a custom mural by artist Chris Nixon mixing botanicals and patterns to ensure the bold graphics pop against rendered walls.”

Executive chef Brad Sloane has taken care of the new menu, which focuses on Australian flavours and produce with hints of English and Italian flair. “There are some really delicious dishes our patrons can look forward to,” he says, “kangaroo Tartare with quail yolk and saltbush crackling, yabbie Tail and roast pumpkin tortellini, and whole suckling porchetta pig which we’ll carve for you at the table, will be some of the highlights.”

“We want to entice people into a space that is relaxed and playful, yet underpinned by serious food and drinks service,” says Wills. With a drinks list that includes more than 30 different gins we have no doubt that entice they will.

Social at Verandah
55-65 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
verandah.com.au