Popular Sydney Duo The Pizza Bros Have Set Up Their First Permanent Eatery on The Imperial's Rooftop

After serving up slices at festivals and events in Queensland, and and building a cult following through standout pop-ups at Marrickville's Grifter Brewing Co and The Dolphin Hotel, Sydney duo The Pizza Bros have opened their first permanent location inside a beloved Inner West pub. You'll now find the Bros' beloved leopard-spotted rounds on the rooftop of the historic Erskineville stalwart The Imperial.

A bustling LGBTQIA+ nightlife hub famous for its appearance in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Imperial was recently taken over by Universal Hotels, the hospitality team behind Newtown Hotel, Universal, Oxford Hotel and Civic Hotel. While not much has changed so far since the acquisition, the arrival of The Pizza Bros marks the first shift in offerings since the changing of hands.

"The Pizza Bros are not just pizza makers; they're a cultural phenomenon," said CEO of Universal Hotels Harris Kospetas.

"The Imperial Hotel has always been a place where innovation meets tradition, and we're excited to infuse fresh energy into this beloved space. We have some exciting changes in the works that will undoubtedly resonate with the community."

Anyone who's visited the pop-up at Grifter will know the duo specialise in perfectly chewy woodfired pizza reminiscent of other Sydney favourites like Bella Brutta and Gigis — both of which the Bros previously worked at. The menu across the pop-up and this new kitchen focuses on combining Italian staples with quality local produce.

Take the Waterworld, which pairs a house-made fermented chilli sauce with fior di latte, Faros Seafood garlic prawns and pancetta. There's also a luxe take on a meatlovers featuring LP's salami cotto and Whole Beast Butchery salsicce — and The Mago Picasso, which keeps it simple with fior di latte, pomodoro sugo, confit garlic and basil.

But, what would good toppings be worth without a great canvas? The Pizza Bros give special focus to their in-house dough, using several fermentation processes to create each base. The result is both tasty and aesthetically pleasing — so pleasing that it's racked up hundreds of thousands of views across TikTok and Instagram.

The Imperial is walk-in friendly, but if you want to make a booking for the rooftop, you can at the pub's website.

The Imperial is located at 35 Erskineville Road, Erksineville. You'll find The Pizza Bros on the rooftop Wednesday–Sunday.