Sydney’s much-loved Bristol Arms Hotel has been transformed into an exclusive rooftop bar that will serve some of the best Greek food in the city.
The former Sussex Street pub was a neon-lit mecca in the 90s for Sydneysiders who partied to Wham!, Madonna and Prince as if the 80s had never ended at the iconic Retro club.
But now chef Peter Conistis, of Alpha and Ammos fame and regarded by many as the father of modern Greek cuisine in Sydney, has set his sights on a luxury revamp of what will now be called The Bristol.
The Rooftop Kouzina opened its doors on Wednesday with its new luxurious interiors and no expense spared, making it hard to believe it was once a “seedy” pub.
The expansive rooftop space has a modern Mediterranean vibe with pale peach and coral colors, 60s-inspired furniture and eye-catching terrazzo-style tables.
Chef Conistis has recreated the famous Athenian souvlaki bar in Australia and plans to serve sizzling lamb kokoretsi straight from the spit, in addition to lamb souvlaki.
The bar will serve a wide selection of fine wines by the glass and a fun mix of premium classic and exotic cocktails.
The rooftop venue will be followed in a few weeks by another Greek restaurant, Ela Ela, and four more venues will follow, making The Bristol a “multi-level experience”.
Sydney’s much-loved Bristol Arms Hotel has been transformed into an exclusive rooftop bar that will serve some of the best Greek food in the city.
Peter Conistis, of Alpha and Ammos fame, is behind a new revamped Bristol Arms hotel on Sydney’s Sussex Street, home to the former Greek-inspired 90s retro club that will house multiple venues.
Rooftop Kouzina in Sydney is a new venue by Peter Conistis that is inspired by the famous souvlaki bars of Athens.
With the city’s hotel scene plagued by the closure of many institutions such as Tetsuya’s and The Unicorn Hotel, the new opening is welcome news for Sydneysiders looking for some fun.
Locals and travelers alike were excited to hear about The Bristol’s revival and its “new dance floors, new doors” vibe, and many were eager to visit.
“I can’t wait to check it out when I get back to Sydney!” said one.
“Now we’re talking,” said another.
“A legend reborn,” added a third.
A middle-aged attendee said that if the new place could guarantee the same fun atmosphere as Retro, then she might consider coming.
But even though Rooftop Kouzina has a DJ spinning tunes every Thursday and Saturday, one fan of the 90s club was struggling to get excited about the new version of The Bristol.
“Bring back the old Retro,” he said.
Another said he was fed up with Sydney becoming a “dull, drab area” that seemed “far from inhabited”.
“Give us a break and keep your hands off our favorite hangouts,” he wrote.
Retro was famous for its neon disco ball vibes and speakers blasting all the 80s classics.
The rooftop bar is a new destination that will be followed by a fine-dining restaurant and other venues, and is an exciting addition to a hospitality scene that has seen many closures recently.
Visitors to Rooftop Kouzina can expect an extensive wine list and an impressive array of innovative cocktails, plus a new luxury restaurant called Ela Ela.
