The first batch of venues is opening at the $2.2 billion Sydney Place development in Circular Quay, with Kingswood Coffee, Lode and Dopa by Devon among the new arrivals. They’ll be joined later in the year by the team from Re-, the Eveleigh bar previously named on The World’s 50 Best Bars list.

Re- owner Matt Whiley confirmed he’s nabbed a space at Sydney Place, and revealed he has a partner at the yet-to-be-named bar: “My mate Luke Whearty from Byrdi in Melbourne.”

Expect a strong food menu to go with the drinks. It will open around August, the same time the neighbouring Maurice Terzini-fronted Jacksons on George project will also launch.

But there’s no need to wait that long to put Sydney Place through its paces. After some delays, the trickle of openings is turning into a serious flow. Rockdale sandwich joint Kosta’s has ridden into town, and Mikey Jordan has opened a Sydney Place offshoot to his cult caffeine brand Kingswood Coffee.

“We’re still waiting on some pendant lights,” Jordan says of an already slick space selling the usual Kingswood accessories – pastries, croissants, and house-roasted coffee beans.

“We’re next door to a tattoo parlour. I think I’m the only barista in town without a tattoo,” Jordan says.

Federico Zanellato, owner-chef at hatted Pyrmont restaurant Lumi, will open his pie and pastry spin-off Lode at Sydney Place on April 26.

It will stock the same products as its Surry Hills sister store, adding an item just for the Circular Quay outlet. “It’s a cruffin [a muffin-shaped croissant] filled with blueberries,” Zanellato says.

Lode is open daily 7am-late afternoon.

Kingswood Coffee is open Mon-Fri 6am-4pm; Sat 6am-noon.

180 George Street, Sydney, sydneyplace.com