Sydney hospitality veterans Badde Manors, Different Drummer and Frankie’s Pizza all call time on their venues
A big slice of history will be carved out of Sydney’s hospo scene as stalwarts Frankie’s Pizza, Badde Manors and Different Drummer call time, with one closing on a bittersweet birthday.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There is a changing of the guard in Sydney’s hospitality scene with three iconic venues calling time on their businesses.
After 40 years, Glebe’s vegetarian eatery Badde Manors shut its doors some months ago, its owners announcing the news on Facebook.
Then, after 19 years in business, the area’s cocktail bar Different Drummer also called last drinks.
Finally, after 10 years in business, late night music venue Frankie’s Pizza in Hunter Street announced it was closing to make way for a new metro station.
“We thought this venue would outlive us,” the Frankie’s team emailed to followers.
“We’re busier than ever, we are a drunken Goliath operating at peak performance. But despite all of this, it’s time to go to hell.”
Frankie’s last night will be December 11, the same night the venue celebrates it’s 10th birthday.
Vego eatery Badde Manors on Glebe Point Road meanwhile has been an institution on the inner west strip for decades, particularly with students at nearby Sydney University.
The business is now for sale and a sign in the shopfront window calls for locals to submit “stories, photos, tributes, memories, artworks” for a Badde Manors album.
“We will always cherish all that we have gained from each of you, and we hope that at the very least we were able to provide a warm, welcoming spot that you’ll remember as part of the good days,” a lengthy Facebook post dated July 24 read from Badde Manors “family” Martin, Hannan, Nadine and Serena Sheiban.
“May more of those good days find you all warmly as time ticks on. We hope that our paths continue to cross in one way or another and the hope is that perhaps we can organise an event to bring everyone together sometime soon.”
Badde Manors’ owners explained that the decision to close was an extremely difficult one.
“After months of deliberating, struggling and exhausting all options of finding ways to reopen and see you all again, we have reached a very difficult position,” the post read. “It is with immense sadness, and the heaviest of hearts that we have had to make the decision to move on from Badde Manors. There are truly no words that can properly encapsulate the gravity of this situation. Not only for us, but for the truly invaluable, exceptional and wonderful staff we’ve had over the years and our community. A community that has brilliantly developed into one that has defined the corners of Glebe and the atmosphere of the unique suburb. A community that has filled our building and streets with fantastic memories, wild stories, hilarious characters, timeless friendships, nostalgic loves, beautiful art and boundless more. This is all you my friends! The very people who have made Badde Manors what it is. It is with all these parts that leaving is as difficult as it is now.”
HAVE A BEER, IT’S ALL FINE
A brewery in Bondi is trying to find a silver lining in parking fines.
Curly Lewis, on Campbell Parade is offering a free beer to anyone who gets a parking fine along the famous beach.
The area is known for its zealous parking rangers.
Now the owners of the new brewery, which was recently frequented by Nedd Brockman, want to offer a little bit of solace to those who get stung! A cold one.
To be eligible, the fine has to be issued within the Bondi Beach postcode and brought into the brewery within seven days of the infringement.
SOLOTEL A PARTNER IN PRIDE
Sydney WorldPride 2023 is shaping up to be one of the biggest parties the city has ever seen and the centre of the party is going to take place at Solotel venues around Sydney.
The family-owned hospitality group has been announced as the exclusive hospitality partner of the event.
The group’s venues like Kings Cross Hotel, Newtown’s The Bank, Marly and Courty, Surry Hills The Clock and Goros in Surry Hills, The Darlo Bar, the new Abercrombie in Chippendale, The Paddington Inn, Barangaroo House and the iconic Opera Bar have become the official venues of Sydney World Pride.
The latest announcement follows news that the event will draw the likes of Kylie Minogue, G Flip and Peach PRC as musical acts for the 17-day global LGBTQIA+ festival
Solotel have revealed they have partnered with LGBTQIA+ tastemakers to curate a program of entertainment including Richard Reid and queen Felicity Frockaccino.
In a statement, the CEO of Solotel, Elliot Solomon said the partnership reflects the group’s kinship with the queer community.
This is the first WorldPride event to be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
More Coverage
Mad about the movies: Star’s hope for more Bridget Jones
Too much Bridget may never be enough … Hollywood star Renee Zellweger is hopeful of more Bridget Jones movies. Problem is, there are only four books.
Sydney HIV/AIDS advocate dies 41 years after being diagnosed
One of the original HIV/AIDS patients in Sydney has died more than four decades after his diagnosis. Tributes have begun flowing for David Polson, who dedicated his life to the fight.