Overview
The CBD has welcomed an impressive new boutique hotel with an attached wine bar and bistro ideal for after-work drinks. Unlike some of Sydney's other landmark hotel openings (see: the recently opened Capella and the soon-to-arrived W Hotel), Bar Morris is a more low-key affair, tucked away on Pitt Street just by Chinatown with 82 stylish rooms.
The property originally opened in 1929 and was the tallest hotel in the country for more than 30 years. Now under the guidance of Accor, the inner-city stay has been given a massive makeover that maintains the charm of its historic Italian renaissance influence.
The exterior has been refurbished to retain the original design, with a bold white and red sign proudly exclaiming 'Hotel Morris' out the front. Inside, the art deco-influenced suites welcome guests with Jarrah wood accents and custom furniture that pays homage to the history of the building. Downstairs, Bar Morris continues the building's vintage Inter-War Palazzo design with a sleek 40-seat space built around pink marble, delicate chandeliers and vibrant flourishes of red.
The bar serves as an all-day CBD stop-off for a quick drink and snacks or a no-holds-barred feast. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can pop in for Industry Beans coffee and Sicilian pancakes in the morning, the daily pasta or panini special at midday or a lavish Italian dinner led by fast-rising Head Chef Rosy Scatigna. At just 30 years old, Scatigna has already worked across Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and the UK after studying at Alma International School of Italian Cuisine.
On the after-dark menu, you'll find rich, flavour-packed starters and mains like mussels gratinate with saffron aioli, cheesy 'nduja madeleines paired with preserved lemon and guanciale, marinated prawn and pumpkin risotto, and flank steak topped with a signature Café de Morris butter.
Natty wine enthusiasts will be excited by the wine list which is made up of nearly entirely Australian and Italian producers and boasts an extensive range of skin contact drops both by the glass and the bottle. Swap your usual glass of riesling for a skins-y Hunter Valley fiano or start your night with a glass of rosé pét-nat in place of your usual sparkling. If you're heading in with mum, never fear, there's still plenty of traditional tipples to be had across the extensive 50+ bottles on offer.
And, if you prefer to pair your spaghettone with something a little stiffer, you're in luck: classic cocktails, an entire page of amaros and inventive blends are all on offer. After something a little different? Try the Salted Stars which combines chilli, grapefruit, amaro Montenegro, lemon sorbet and Archie Rose vodka.
Hotel Morris and Bar Morris are now open at 412 Pitt Street, Haymarket. Bar Morris is open for breakfast until 10am on weekdays and 10.30am on weekends; lunch 11am–2.30pm Monday–Sunday; and dinner 5.30–10pm Tuesday–Saturday.
Images: Steven Woodburn