Overview
Yes, you read that correctly — Sydney's favourite heritage pub, The Taphouse, is coming back to Flinders Street. Thanks to renowned hospitality group Applejack, Sydneysiders will be able to enjoy the popular watering hole again, as well as its stylish new additions.
Applejack's M.O. is to rejuvenate retired local haunts while maintaining the integrity and history of these community institutions, putting its own spin on 'something new and something old'. After resurrecting Surry Hill's famed Forrester's pub back in 2020, the Sydney-based hospo group set its sights on The Taphouse, the ninth venue under Applejack's ownership, now set to reopen the three-level pub on Wednesday, September 13.
In the case of The Taphouse, Applejacks has retained its three core driving forces — its taps, tunes and the Chinese menu offering.
"Pat, Benny, and I were on the rooftop one sunny arvo and thought how good it would be to put a spin on the food by serving up a delicious Chinese menu to enjoy whilst making your way through the 20 odd taps which will feature Sydney's favourite breweries. It's an all killer no filler approach to beer," said Applejack co-owner, Hamish Watts.
The revived venue's fit-out consists of newly added terracotta tones and dark timber, creating an invitingly intimate atmosphere paired alongside the familiar timber paneling and pressed tin ceilings. The rooftop terrace, however, juxtaposes the cosy interiors with its complete revamp — featuring neutral umbrellas for maximum shade, a fully retractable roof and coastal white and blue tones. To top it all off, there's also a brand-new sound system primed for use.
Applejack's decision to shine a spotlight on Cantonese cuisine pulled inspiration from the inner-workings of English pubs.
"We were inspired by the great English tradition of leasing out pub kitchens and serving a style of food not normally associated with a pub," said Watts.
Patrick Friesen (ex-Queen Chow, Stanley Brisbane & Ms.G's) leads The Taphouse's kitchen as Directory of Culinary alongside the newly appointed Head Chef Sam Ng (ex-Ho Lee Fook, Praya and Stanley), hailing from Hong Kong. The Taphouse's menu has been given the Asian-fusion treatment, offering up an array of exciting dishes to complement the taps available.
"Derived from our love of Hong Kong, Cantonese food, and Australian Chinese food, you can expect classics featuring local produce with a few local Hong Kong favourites," Friesen said.
Expect to see the likes of Jangs egg noodles paired with crisp pork belly and Chinese broccoli and chilli on The Taphouse's menu selection. Plus, classics like a seasonal stir-fry, cruller prawn toast, Shandong crispy skin chicken legs and steamed barramundi accompanied by pickled chilli and black beans to round out the menu highlights.
You'll find The Taphouse at 122 Flinders Street in Darlinghurst. It'll be open from Wednesday, September 12, 4–11pm Monday–Wednesday, 4pm–midnight Thursday, 11.30am–1am Friday–Saturday, 11.30am–11pm Sunday.