Bar Conte Is the New Aperitivo Venue Featuring 20 Different Negronis in Surry Hills

Negronis and Italian bar snacks are at the centre of Surry Hills' new aperitivo bar which opens tomorrow, Wednesday, September 14. Bar Conte is the project of Raffaelle Lombard and his partner, interior designer Victoria Hampshire who have worked together to transport you to the Amalfi Coast through a sleek bar inspired by Italy's aperitivo culture.

"I have dreamt of this concept for the past 10 years. The negroni is my drink of choice, and has been since I was a young man growing up in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. It's bitter, strong and clean — the ultimate pre-dinner drink. We felt it deserved its own dedicated bar," Lombard says.

The obvious place to start at Bar Conte is with a negroni. There are more than 20 varieties on the menu. Alongside your classics, there's a range of intriguing combinations: the Negroni Sbagliato 1972 combines Campari, Cinzano 1757 and prosecco; the Il Professore is a mix of Campari, Campano Rosso Vermouth and Kimbo coffee liqueur; and the Rhubarb is made from Glendalough Rose Gin, Cinzano 1757 and Rabarbaro liqueur.

"The temperature and the quality of the vermouth is what makes a good negroni," according to Lomard. "Growing up in Italy, our family homes were always stocked with vermouth, and on special occasions I would be able to try them. 30 years on, I have grown to love those flavours, there is so much nostalgia and many memories for me when it comes to vermouth."

Further along the menu and you'll find a selection of classic cocktails — martinis, margaritas, spritzes and sours — followed by European wines and beers.

Accompanying the drinks is a creative array of bar snacks pulled together by Head Chef and co-owner Steve De Vecchi (ex-The Apollo). Think rosemary focaccia, wagyu carpaccio and marinated eggplant caprino. There are also menu items infusing the bar's signature drink, including oysters with a negroni dressing and negroni-infused salumi.

Located on the corner of Riley and Foveaux Street, across from Forrester's, Bar Conte has transformed a corner terrace formerly occupied by a convenience store into an inviting 38-seat bar accentuated with a warm burnt red, forest green and brass fit-out.

"I have always had a love of bottle green and brass, with bottle green tiles and forest green marble, complementing the warmth of the parquetry floor and the deep red walls that are a reference to our life and travels in Italy," said Hampshire.

Bar Conte is located at 340 Riley Street, Surry Hills. It's open from 4.30pm Monday–Thursday and from 11.30am Friday-Saturday.

Images: Steven Woodburn