A spectacular new drinks and dining destination called The Collective has opened in The Rocks and it belongs at the top of your must-visit list.

Hunter St Hospitality launched the vibrant precinct last week. It blends heritage buildings with contemporary bars and restaurants. The vast 1800sqm space combines established venues Saké and The Cut Bar & Grill with new experiences including The Dining Room, The Garden and Tailor Room.

Hunter St Hospitality CEO Frank Tucker said: “Hospitality precincts are having a moment in Sydney, and their appeal is only
growing. With The Collective, we saw a chance to do something special—breathing new life into heritage spaces that deserve
to be experienced, not just admired. There’s a lot to uncover once you step inside, and we hope it becomes a hidden gem for
anyone looking to see a different side of the city.”

Drinks Digest toured the venues before the official opening of The Collective last week and it was a magical experience.

Just inside the majestic entrance is Tailor Room, an intimate cocktail bar inspired by the building’s textile history.

Bar Manager Benji Kinoial and Head of Bars Mael Jego have developed an innovative menu called Textures, with cocktails named after fabrics—think Silk, Velvet, Corduroy—each uniquely expressive in flavour and feel. Deep velvet banquettes, rust-red walls and a striking marble bar add sophistication and warmth to the space.

A few steps away is The Garden, an alfresco courtyard framed by heritage-listed buildings. It offers all-day dining and bar menu that ranges from crab omelettes in the morning to king prawn rolls for lunch, aperitivos as the sun goes down and cocktails beneath the stars throughout the night.

The jewel in The Collective’s crown is The Dining Room, set in a beautifully restored 1881 wool store. The expansive space features sandstone walls, sandstone walls, heritage pillars, sumptuous booths, an array of bars and even a DJ booth suspended above the entryway.

The menu is delicious and showcases premium produce, ranging from chilled seafood towers to Wagyu MB9+ tomahawk steaks, complemented by a 1000+ bin cellar overseen by Head Sommelier Hanna Lesniowski Brugnolli.

“Each venue has a distinct personality but shares a common thread of culinary and cocktail craftsmanship,” Tucker said.
“Together, they celebrate both the heritage and future of one of Sydney’s most iconic neighbourhoods.”

You’ll find The Collective at 12-18 Argyle Street, The Rocks.

Photography: Steven Woodburn.

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