Famed Dante NYC and Australian Chef Neil Perry Collaborate with Opening of Sydney Basement Bar
December 12th, 2024
Recently opened, Bobbie’s is found in the basement of Double Bay’s iconic Gaden House, home also of restaurant sibling Song Bird. A collaboration with Neil and Samantha Perrys’ long-time friends, Linden Pride and Nathalie Hudson, of Dante fame in New York City and Los Angeles (#1 World’s Best Bar 2019) – the bar concept brings a refreshing sophistication to the local bar scene, and as Perry has said, “We’ve designed Bobbie’s to be a place for people to enjoy at any time of the day or night – whether it be for a martini and oysters in the afternoon, a nightcap and cheese plate on the way home, or a full evening of dining, drinking and live music – the choice is yours.”
Designed to be an intimate, richly layered experience, serving as both a world-class cocktail bar and an intimate music venue, Bobbie’s is named after Linden’s legendary grandfather, Australian DJ Bob Rogers OAM, who is celebrated for introducing Top 40 radio programming on 2UE in 1958 and is regarded as Australia’s longest serving radio announcer.
Bobbie’s main bar is elegantly arranged with plush velvet chairs and marble-topped tables, and a mint green leather banquette that wraps around the perimeter of the main bar pit, creating an array of intimate, beautifully lit nooks where guests can huddle. A stepped archway in a bronzed mirror at the end of the main room finishes the space and establishes a performance area for live acts.
Martinis are central to the drinks list as well as a selection of riffs on classics and aperitivi. The menu is focused on a classic style of drinking, incorporating negronis and highballs amongst a selection of bright takes on some favourite cocktails.
Standout drinks include the signature Bobbie’s Martini (Dolin Blanc, Mancino Dry, Hickson Rd Gin, clarified green apple, pickled onion); Tuxedo No.3 Martini (Fino sherry, Malfy Gin, clarified passionfruit, orange bitters); Watermelon Garabaldi (Davo Plum Aperitivo Bitters, Campari, fluffy watermelon); Negroni Rossa (Don Julio Rosado, Lillet Rosé, Ramazzotto Rosado, verjus, clarified watermelon) and Lychee Martini (Fig Leaf Hendricks, Lillet Rosé, Italicus, lychee).
There is also a tight wine list featuring under 50 wines, with a focus on Champagne. Emerging Champagne growers, more established Champagne houses and sparkling wines from around the world are presented as well as a concise list of Australian wines, fortifieds and a ‘greatest hits’ of Double Bay.
Complementing the drinks is an extensive menu of seafood and snacks, as well as sandwiches – both fresh and toasted – and a few sweet things.A thoughtfully curated list of Neil’s favourite premium suppliers sees Walker’s Big Eye Tuna with green olive and lemon salsa and a Spencer Gulf King Prawn cocktail with Murray Rose sauce enjoyed alongside a CopperTree Farm beef patty cheese melt with gruyere and pickles.
Many other bar classics are also on offer including white sturgeon caviar, freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters, gildas with green olive, anchovy and pickled chilli and Neil’s ever-popular finger sandwiches in varieties such as chicken, celery and walnut, king prawn and prosciutto, and picked and fresh cucumber.
Bobbie’s is open Tuesday to Thursday from 4pm till late, and Friday and Saturday from 2:30pm till late.
(images credit Margaret Family)
