After eight years as a Parisian-inspired cocktail bar, Sydney venue Kittyhawk has transformed into a New York inspired experience.
Kittyhawk New York will open on 4 April, with live music at its core and an Italian-American menu.
Founder Jared Merlino (Merlino & Co) said: “After eight years of Kittyhawk as an old-world Parisian cocktail bar we decided it was time to introduce some more fun into what is an amazing venue space.
“We wanted more energy and we wanted to have live entertainment at the core of what this business was going forward.”
Kittyhawk New York’s evolution draws heavily from the success and energy of Merlino’s other venue, Big Poppa’s, Sydney’s beloved late-night venue on Oxford Street. The venue, which is set to return later this year following the Oxford Foley redevelopment, has earned a dedicated following.
Its deep connection with the community inspired Merlino to bring a similar, yet expanded experience to the CBD in Phillip Lane.
“Sydney has loved what was created at Big Poppa’s with great food late into the night without any pretension or fluff,” Merlino said.
“This will be the same at Kittyhawk New York, with delicious food all night long and amazing staff to serve you. But this will also be a great live entertainment venue with some of Sydney’s top DJs making sure you are having a great music experience all week long.”
Music will be at the heart of Kittyhawk New York, with DJs five-nights a week spinning the iconic genres that have defined and originated from NYC. Blending vinyl and electronic sounds, hip hop, soul, funk and disco will be heavily on rotation to set an unforgettable vibe that lasts into the night.
“Music is at the core of what we want to do. A venue is not only about what you eat and drink but also about energy and how you feel, and with DJs and musicians curating the experience the whole way through we really want a high energy venue from open to close,” he said.
The new menu has evolved from previously Parisian classics, to an Italian-American focus that will be available until close. Led by Head Chef, Marco Costa (Glorietta, Sydney), guests can expect six to eight seasonal pasta dishes on offer at a time, alongside high-quality proteins and accompanied by Italian snacks for those seeking a late-night feed.
Curated by Daniel Hilton, Kittyhawk New York Venue Manager and Veteran, the cocktail list will further hero the classics and provide a special twist to some of the much-loved classics. A high-end spirits cart will also be available in the booth area.
Junior sommelier Michelle O’Donnell (Palazzo Sallato and De Vine Food and Wine) has designed a wine list featuring 80-120 bottles, offering a mix of Italian, Australian, French and other regions, with a strong emphasis on Italian varieties.
The design of the venue sees the front transformed into an immersive DJ booth experience and drinks lounge, capturing the raw, underground vibe of New York City. Plush carpets and velvet curtains in deep red and purple tones feature, alongside a raised DJ booth framed by vinyl storage.
Paying homage to the Merlino & Co Group’s signature Notorious B.I.G mural in Big Poppa’s, Kittyhawk New York will become home to a custom 1.5 metre, hand-made marble mural of New York rapper Busta Rhymes in the centre of the dance floor,
Connecting the two cities even further, Kittyhawk New York is set to partner with top cocktail bars in NYC for week-long collaborations in the venue. Each year, two to three renowned New York bars will bring their craft to Sydney, featuring cocktail masterclasses, menu takeovers and late-night events.