First Look: Darling Harbour Stalwart Bungalow 8 Has Unveiled a Stunning Top-to-Bottom $3-Million Renovation
And it's not just the decor that has had a glow-up — there's a new bar and dining offering too.
Darling Harbour favourite Bungalow 8 is celebrating its 21st anniversary in style with a grand reopening following a $3-million renovation, splitting into two venues – Bungalow 8 and Bungalow Bar and Balcony. Serving King Wharf visitors since 2003, the revamped day-to-night destination, which reopened to the public on Saturday, October 19, boasts a fresh look throughout the two-level venue complete with a new rooftop dining area, tropical courtyard seating and an upstairs cocktail lounge. While this revamp is set to mark a new era of the popular day-to-night venue, Bungalow 8 will still retain its signature tropical charm that attracted celebrities and revellers alike in the early 2000s.
For midday diners, the waterfront venue's updated ground floor and courtyard provide the perfect setting for casual lunches or corporate meetings. An oasis in the bustling harbour precinct, Bungalow 8 will feature an array of lush, tropical plants, cabanas with banquet seating and glittering festoon lighting. Upstairs, the newly renovated cocktail bar and balcony provide a stunning view of Darling Harbour, perfect for late-night drinks and glamorous private events. An homage to the original fitout, the bar retains its signature botanical wallpaper and lush green flooring while melding the old with the new using contemporary seating and sleek LED lighting.
Don't let this polished new look fool you though — there is fun and mischief to be had at the waterfront venue once the sun sets over Darling Harbour. At night, Bungalow 8 will become a party destination, playing host to a variety of weekend events. With the addition of a custom DJ booth, curated lighting and a top-of-the-line sound system, local DJs and musicians will keep the tunes pumping late into the night every Friday and Saturday. To close out the weekend, the King Street Wharf venues will hold new Sunday Sessions from 2pm, featuring DJ sets accompanied by a live saxophonist.
The venue's decor isn't the only part of Bungalow 8 getting a makeover. Curated by Executive Chef Jason Roberson, a new lunch-till-late menu will be launched, featuring crowd favourites like burgers, sandwiches and salads. The menu will also feature a wave of new dishes such as Thai chilli wings dipped in lime crème fraiche or the Bungalow club sandwich on focaccia. Those dining in large groups will find options such as a charcuterie board featuring a selection from LP's Quality Meats, or a shared snack platter with truffle fries, eggplant parmigiana 'arancini', char-grilled corn cob, and salt and pepper calamari.
The menu will also include a wide selection of local and international wines and new cocktails to match Bungalow 8's playful and tropical revamp. Try Sandy's Big Night Out on Kings Street Wharf, featuring citron vodka, cream of coconut, pineapple, lemon and mint, or the Picante de la Casa with blue agave tequila, lime, agave, coriander and green tobacco.
Venue Manager Teddy Hepworth says customers will have a lot to look forward to from the venue's new era. "There's a lot to love about Bungalow 8's new chapter and we're excited to swing our doors back open to show everyone! New cocktails to shake, a delicious food menu and curated spaces that compliment both our iconic location and atmosphere."
Find Bungalow 8 at 3 Lime Street, Sydney CBD, or via King Wharf. For more details, go to the Bungalow 8 website.
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