Coming Soon: Matt Whiley's Sustainability-Forward Cocktail Bar Re Is Reopening at The Norfolk Hotel

Since its arrival in 2021, Re has blazed a trail as one of Sydney's best bars and a standout spot within the South Eveleigh precinct. It's earned a spot on lists of the world's best bars multiple times, it's hosted pop-ups from other game-changing watering holes, and it's completely altered the benchmark for sustainability in Sydney, with cocktails made from discarded bread or chicken feet. Now, it's finally slinging its innovative inventions again — this time, from new Redfern digs.

The brainchild of Scout founder Matt Whiley, Re closed its original Locomotive Street outpost back in February, dropping hints of a reopening date in April. Now, it's been confirmed that the boundary-pushing bar will be reopening in La Salut's previous digs alongside Ricos Tacos at Cleveland Street's The Norfolk Hotel on Tuesday, May 14.

"We've given Re a new home, but our signature style of experimentation and sustainable practice is still paramount for us," said Whiley. "We've already been able to redirect perfectly fresh waste and create cocktails and new dishes as part of our re-opening."

Staying true to its zero-waste and sustainable ways, Re 2.0 will redirect waste from the kitchens of PUBLIC's venues, giving new life to otherwise-discarded produce from Maybe Sammy, Sammy Junior, El Primo Sanchez, Busby's, Derrel's, The Lady Hampshire and Dean & Nancy on 22.

Plus, its new menu will also star sips that revitalise ingredients from other eateries. Expect to see a tortilla-inspired cocktail from Ricos Tacos, the 'Dirty Bore' featuring salted focaccia butter vodka from Busby's, and a boozy new take on the mango lassi from Derrel's.

Whiley will work with former Automata owner and PUBLIC's Creative Culinary Director Clayton Wells on both the food and drink menu, creating dishes and drinks that work harmoniously together.

As with the original South Eveleigh space, sustainability has been built into the core of the sleek new Re, with recycled and repurposed materials playing a major role in reimagining The Norfolk's corner bar. This also factors into the outpost's menu, with each dish highlighting ingredients that can be consumed whole, like the calamari and ink or the yellowfin tuna paired with marigold.

"We look forward to welcoming our new neighbours in Redfern in," continued Whiley.

The space when it was La Salut, Nikki To

Re will open at The Norfolk, 305 Cleveland Street, Redfern, on Tuesday, May 14. 

Image credit: Sam McAdam-Cooper