Sydney's Long-Standing Flinders Hotel Has Been Revamped (Again)

Trumpets blared and picklebacks were downed when The Flinders Hotel reopened its doors under new management in December last year — the much loved Darlinghurst pub ceased operations back in January 2015, with management laying the blame squarely on the NSW lockout laws. And now it's officially relaunching to the public, with a new look and one hour of free booze, no less.

The official relaunch party will kick off from 8pm this Saturday, May 13 with one hour of drinks on the house. But don't expect to see the old Flinders of yore — there's been a few changes. The new fit-out includes a swanky marble bar imported from Italy, a custom DJ booth and a pool table. The walls have also been repainted with a real jumble of graffiti — it's meant to mirror the aesthetic of the laneway — and Keep Sydney Open paraphernalia is a main feature.

"Flinders was amazing, but we've given the space a few new tweaks to give it a point of difference from what it was before — but without changing the feel of it too much," says co-owner and Sydney nightlife consultant Jordy Mitchell. "This relaunch is a way for us to re-introduce the venue to the public and let people know that nightlife is still well and alive in Surry Hills."

Along with the upgraded decor comes a new cocktail list with seven classics — from whiskey sours and Negronis to espresso martinis and margaritas — as well as the hotel's one specialty cocktail, the Flinders Fling, which  is a concoction of white rum, cognac liqueur, lime juice, mint leaves and soda water.

"I want to keep the drinks in the spirit of the venue and not have anything that is wildly over -the-top," says Mitchell. "We really wanted to nail the core classics without having a cocktail list a mile long."

The kitchen is also revamped, turning out a new pizza menu and the usual pub classics until 10pm. Future plans for an upstairs lounge with an open woodfire is in the works for the next few months.

The venue boasts a 3am licence, and they plan to put that to good use for this weekend's launch party, with some of the Flinders' original DJs manning the turn tables. "Our relaunch is definitely a 'fingers up' to the lock out laws," says Mitchell. "We're still here and Sydney is still alive."

The Flinders Hotel is located at 63 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst. The relaunch party will take place this Saturday, May 13 from 8pm-3am, with free drinks from 8pm-9pm.