Historic Surry Hills hotel the Forrester’s has been given a Latin lift. The 100-year-old pub was purchased by Applejack Hospitality, the group behind The Butler, Botanist, and Bopp and Tone in August this year. Following a $1.5 million renovation, the pub has recently re-opened, revealing a lush new Latin look and feel.

The new fit-out channels the balmy bars of Havana through tropical palm tree wallpaper and overflowing greenery, while slow-spinning fans add a touch of colonial-style glamour.

The venue’s major draw card is its new restaurant, Phylli’s. Curated by head chef Jon Barrios and executive chef Jason Roberson, the menu trades up the counter meals for classic Cuban and Latin American-style eats. The line-up includes beef cheek empanadas, barbecued corn with manchego and chipotle mayo and 18-hour slow-roasted lamb barbacoa ready-to-wrap in warm corn tortillas with salsa verde. Cuba’s national sandwich, the Cubano, also makes the cut. The loaded roll is stuffed with pork belly, fried ham, Swiss cheese and dill pickles and comes with chips on the side.

The cocktail list has been given a shake up, with a vibrant new line up of fresh and fruity cocktails for a taste of island life. The jalapeno and grapefruit margarita gets it just right with the perfect balance of sweet, spicy and sour. For something a little more summery, the menu also includes five spritz cocktails spiked with prosecco and fresh seasonal fruits. If you’re planning a leisurely lunch with friends, there are also bottomless rosé packages available on the weekends.

For a more traditional experience, they’ve kept the pub grub, including steak, schnitzels and fish and chips in the Public Bar out front. The area has also been kitted out with big screen TVs, so you can still watch the sport and sink a schooey, if that’s more your style. The upstairs space, which previously housed Caribbean diner Queenie’s, is set to relaunch next month as a new late night spot for trivia and comedy.

The Forrester’s is located at 336 Riley Street, Surry Hills, Sydney. It opens Mon – Wed 11:30am – 1pm, Thu 11:30am – 12am, Fri & Sat 11:30am – 1am and Sun 11:30am – 10pm. For more details or to make a booking, head to forresters.com.au.