A Look Inside The Lobo Plantation Crew's New CBD Bar, Kittyhawk

Kittyhawk — the much-anticipated second project from The Lobo Plantation team – has (finally!) opened to the public. That's right, since Tuesday, June 27, Sydneysiders have been exploring a 120-strong rye whiskey collection at a grand, 12-metre-long bar and tucking into Parisian street food, while surrounded by WWII paraphernalia at the Macquarie Street end of town.

"It's inspired by the Liberation of Paris," says Jared Merlino, the bar's director and co-owner. "On August 25, 1944, Paris was freed from oppression by American and French soldiers. It must have been a jovial and joyous time."

As such, interior designers AZBcreative have worked both French and American ideas into the 175-capacity venue. "You can see the French influence in the beautiful front bar, the marble mosaics, the brass tabletops and the balloon-backed chairs," Merlino explains. Meanwhile, the WWII aesthetic comes in the form of propaganda posters, a massive artwork featuring flying Kittyhawks and army green banquettes. The room is made up of various spaces, including an area resembling an "officers' lounge" and a raised section with a balustrade.

The bar, which is being run by Lobo's Paige Aubort, holds up to 900 spirits. The focus is on rye, with about 120 drops available at the moment and another 300 or so still to be added. There's a healthy rum selection too (after all, the Lobo folks know their rum) and a 16-strong cocktail list, all wrapped up in an illustrated menu that cleverly resembles a warplane mechanic's manual.

In the kitchen you'll find legendary Scottish chef Jason Wright. Creator of the best steak in Edinburgh, he's since run his own fish restaurant and, at Kittyhawk, has put together a Parisian street food menu. "The dishes have been going down a treat," Merlino says. "They're traditional, but with a bar-friendly twist." Snacks from the menu include mussel vol-au-vents, duck Scotch eggs and onion soup sticks.

Kittyhawk is now open at 16 Phillip Lane, Sydney. They're open Monday to Thursday 3pm till midnight, and Friday and Saturday 3pm till 2am. For more info, visit kittyhawk.com.au.