Lugarno brothers on creating ‘exclusive’ local cocktail bar Respite

Chic neighbourhood bars like Respite in Lugarno are popping up all over greater Sydney, bringing the sophistication of a city location to humble suburbia.

Lugarno bar The Respite wants to bring the city to the suburbs. Picture: Supplied.

The rise of the neighbourhood bar continues to dominate the hospitality landscape, with new locations popping up all over greater Sydney.

Three lifelong mates from Lugarno are shaking up southern Sydney’s cocktail scene by opening a bar that brings the sophistication of a city location, with it’s food and drinks, to humble suburbia.

Simon Nardo and brothers Louis and Jackson Sobb at The Respite in Lugarno. Picture: Supplied.

With experience in hospitality but not working directly in the industry at the time, Simon Nardo, and brothers Louis and Jackson Sobb opened Respite as a 30- person pop-up in 2019 but just before last year’s lockdowns moved into an 80-person venue to meet demand.

“We were sitting there feeling a bit disillusioned with our jobs and decided we wanted to try our own thing,” said Louis.

Adds Simon, “We knew we wanted to do something in our local area. And the pub culture was pretty strong, so we decided to do something different with a cocktail bar.

Simon Nardo wanted to bring the city to the suburbs. Picture: Supplied.

Bar snacks to go with the cocktails at The Respite. Picture: Supplied.

“We have the motto of being inclusive and exclusive at the same time. We’ve got the inclusive local community feel while still providing exclusive service and product.”

Respite joins venues like Coogee Wine Room, which have found popularity in staying local.

Meanwhile, iconic Surry Hills venue The Wild Rover is closing it’s doors and undergoing a chic wine-bar makeover and will turn into The Rover in March.