Sydney’s beloved Bristol Arms Hotel has been transformed into a chic rooftop bar serving up some of the best Greek food in town.
The old pub on Sussex Street was a mecca for Sydneysiders in the 90s, who would party to Wham!, Madonna and Prince as if the 80s had never really ended at the iconic Retro club.
Chef Peter Conistis, known for Alpha and Ammos and regarded by many as the founder of modern Greek cuisine in Sydney, has now set his sights on a luxury renovation of what will now be called The Bristol.
Rooftop Kouzina opened its doors on Wednesday with a new, luxurious interior that spared no expense. It’s hard to believe that this was once a ‘dirty’ pub.
The expansive rooftop terrace space has a modern Mediterranean vibe with light peach and coral tones, 60s-inspired furnishings and striking terrazzo tables.
Chef Conistis has revived the famous Athenian souvlaki bar in Australia and plans to serve lamb kokoretsi, straight from the spit, and lamb souvlaki.
The bar serves an extensive selection of fine wines by the glass and a nice mix of first-class classic and exotic cocktails.
In a few weeks, the rooftop location will be followed by a Greek restaurant, Ela Ela, and four more locations will follow, making The Bristol a ‘multi-level experience’.
Sydney’s beloved Bristol Arms Hotel has been transformed into a luxury rooftop bar serving some of the city’s best Greek cuisine
Peter Conistis, of Alpha and Ammos fame, is the creator of a new Greek-inspired multi-venue at the old Bristol Arms hotel on Sydney’s Sussex Street, home to the old 90s retro club
Rooftop Kouzina in Sydney is a new venue from Peter Conistis that takes inspiration from the famous souvlaki bars of Athens
With the city’s hospitality industry struggling with the closure of many establishments, such as Tetsuya’s and The Unicorn Hotel, the new opening is good news for Sydney residents looking for some entertainment.
Locals and travellers were excited to hear about Bristol’s rebirth and the vibe it had: ‘dance floors, new doors’, and many people were keen to visit.
“I can’t wait to check it out when I get back to Sydney!” said one person
“Now we’re talking about talking,” said another.
“A legend reborn,” said a third.
A middle-aged clubber said that if the new location could guarantee the same cheerful atmosphere as Retro, she might consider coming.
But despite having a DJ spinning music every Thursday through Saturday at Rooftop Kouzina, one fan of the ’90s club found it hard to get excited about The Bristol’s brand new club.
“Bring back the old Retro,” he said.
Another said he was fed up with Sydney turning into a “boring, monotonous strip” that looked “far from lived in”.
“Give us a chance and stay away from our favorite cafes,” he wrote.
Retro was known for its neon disco ball vibes and speakers that blasted every classic from the 80s
The rooftop bar is a new destination, with a fine dining restaurant and other venues to follow. It’s an exciting addition to a hospitality venue that has seen many closures of late.
Visitors to Rooftop Kouzina can expect an extensive wine list and an impressive array of inventive cocktails – with a new gastronomic venue called Ela Ela – coming soon
