Odd Culture Group has announced it will open two new venues in the Sydney CBD district: an underground daiquiri bar and discotheque; and a neighbourhood osteria on York Street.
The openings will mark Odd Culture Group’s foray into Sydney CBD hospitality alongside its well-established presence in Sydney’s Inner West.
Odd Culture Group CEO Rebecca Lines said: “Looking towards the Sydney CBD for our venues has been a natural progression for us at Odd Culture Group.
“We pride ourselves on having a diverse portfolio of pubs, bars and restaurants with a core focus on utilising spaces that make you feel something special – and for us the York Street sites are full of that kind of charm.”
The CBD venues will join Odd Culture Group’s portfolio, which includes the eponymous Odd Culture, Bistro Grenier, The Duke of Enmore and Pleasure Club plus The Old Fitzroy Hotel in the Inner East.
“The biggest challenge in the Sydney CBD district is that it can feel transient plus there is intense competition, rising costs and a guest base that’s often time-poor and choice-rich,” said Lines.
“You need to earn loyalty quickly, and I believe that’s also the opportunity of this district – the CBD has huge energy, diversity, and frequency of trade if you get it right.
“Our goal is for the venues to be a moment of respite from the corporate world, with a bit of neighbourhood charm where people feel known, welcomed, and want to return to.”
According to the City of Sydney City Economic Insights Report CBD dining remains resilient across all age groups despite cost-of-living challenges. Overall CBD consumer spend increased by 7.2% in September 2025 compared to 2024.
Additionally, according to the 2025 SevenRooms Hospitality Report, there’s also a noticeable shift in diners searching for “experience-led dining” with 82% more likely to book a venue with that additional offering to justify their spend during the cost-of-living crisis.
“Entertainment is a big part of the Odd Culture DNA, and our new venues will continue to embody that through diverse and quirky offerings that will engage audiences looking for something fresh and new to add to their dining experience,” said Lines.
Lines said Odd Culture will take a different approach to the CBD venues compared to the Inner West.
“In the Inner West, we were building venues that naturally grew out of our immediate community through local regulars, familiar faces, and word of mouth,” she said.
“Whereas in the CBD, you don’t have that same organic neighbourhood base, so you have to design for belonging from day one.
“We’re approaching these new venues with a much clearer sense of purpose: who the guest is, how they want to feel when they walk in; and what will make them come back not just once, but daily. That means tighter operational design, deeper investment in training and leadership, and a much more deliberate focus on service, flow, and guest connection.”
Odd Culture Group’s new venues are slated to open in early 2026, with more details set to be unveiled in the coming weeks.