Pickled Possum: Iconic Neutral Bay venue to be redeveloped into new $15.6m venue, boarding house

The new owner of Sydney’s famed Pickled Possum nightclub and karaoke bar insists the venue’s future is far from endangered after lodging plans to redevelop the site into a high rise boarding house.

A concept image of the redevelopment.

The new owner of Sydney’s famed Pickled Possum nightclub and karaoke bar insists the venue’s future is far from endangered after he lodged plans to redevelop the site into a high-rise boarding house.

The site of the 1980s nightclub at Neutral Bay has been earmarked for a new ‘short stay’ boarding house development as part of a $15.6m proposal lodged to North Sydney Council.

The development will involve the complete demolition of the Pickled Possum which first opened back in 1981 and is well known among locals for its dingy decor and retro vibes.

Over the decades, the venue has been a rite of passage for many youngsters growing up on the lower north shore and still boasts plenty of 20th century features including Eskys where drinks are served from at the bar.

The venue has also attracted some well known patrons including Hugh Jackman and Delta Goodrem.

The venue is a well known drinking hole on the north shore.

Bob Patterson – who bought the long-running club in 2021 – now wants to rebuild the venue into a five-storey complex that will include 78 self-contained rooms for renters.

The development would involve rebuilding the Pickled Possum on the ground level as well as adding a new function space for events such as birthday parties in the basement.

A concept plan of the development.

Mr Patterson – who also bought the cultural centre at the Italian Forum in Leichhardt in April – insists the redevelopment of the Neutral Bay club will involve retaining the character of Pickled Possum.

“We’ll be keeping many of the current elements including the old panelling and bar to refit into the new space,” he said. “We’ll even be keeping the Eskys we serve drinks from.

“It will be old school and we’re not going to take the opportunity to modernise it or even go retro. It’s the most successful bar on the lower north shore and we want to maintain the feel of the place and embrace its history because that’s the reason it’s so loved by the community.

“I’m passionate about the Pickled Possum and I bought it to preserve it. It means a lot to me.”

The venue has traded since the 1980s.

Mr Patterson said plans for the development had been partly prompted by the ageing state of the building.

He said the addition of boarding house units could address housing demand in the area.

“There’s been huge population growth in the north shore but a total lack of new affordable housing,” he said. “The development will also have co-working spaces, there’ll be a theatre room – it will be like living in a hotel.”

Plans to North Sydney Council show the development will include a communal rooftop garden, car parking in a basement level of the building, and landscaping works along Military Rd.

The boarding house development will be called ‘The Drey’ – a reference to the name of a possum’s nest.

The plan comes after Mr Patterson bought the venue in 2021 from original owners John Oseckas and Margurite Smith after the venue temporarily closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The proposal has been lodged to North Sydney Council and remains under assessment.

If approved, it is understood the Possum will be closed for 15-18 months during the redevelopment.