Bar Lourinha pop-up announced for NGV exhibition The Picasso Century

Visitors to the The Picasso Century exhibition will be able to enjoy food and drinks from one of the CBD’s top eateries. Friday Nights will also return with local headliners.

Matt McConnell, co-owner and executive chef of Bar Lourinhã, which will take over the NGV’s Garden Restaurant for The Picasso Century. Picture: Eugene Hyland

The tastes of Spain and sounds of a Parisian jazz bar will collide at the National Gallery of Victoria, as Pablo Picasso’s Europe is recreated for the upcoming Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition.

Bar Lourinhã, Matt McConnell and Jo Gamvros’s Iberian-inspired restaurant, will take over the NGV’s Garden Restaurant for The Picasso Century’s June 10 to October 9 run.

Friday Nights will also return, taking cues from Picasso’s Paristo present a contemporary approach to the jazz bar.

Picasso was born in Spain, but spent most of his adult life in France.

Mr McConnell said for 16 years, his CBD eatery had endeavoured to “evoke the memories and emotions and feelings of what it’s like to eat and drink in Spain” – and he planned to do the same at the NGV.

Matt McConnell said he was excited to bring his restaurant to the NGV. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Portrait of a woman (Portrait de femme) 1938 is among 70 of Pablo Picasso’s works in the exhibition.

He said Bar Lourinhã would craft an exclusive a la carte and series of set menus for the exhibition, while also offering tapas like jamon croquetas and the restaurant’s signature “Lourinhã gildas” hat could be enjoyed more casually with a drink at a purpose-built bar.

“We’ll also play with a couple of classic drinks from Spain, including a tinto de verano,” the chef said.

The pop-up will be open daily for lunches and from 6pm to late on Fridays, to coincide with the gallery’s Friday Nights live performances.

Headlining the first two weeks will be Papua New Guinea-born soul artist Ngaiire and Indigenous vocalist Emma Donovan, who will be accompanied by The Putbacks.

NGV director Tony Ellwood said the Friday Nights program would offer “an enriched after-hours experience inspired by the artworks and places from the exhibition, including jazz-influenced performances and Spanish-style cuisine”.

The Picasso Century has been exclusively curated by the deputy director of France’s National Museum of Modern Art, Didier Ottinger, to feature more than 70 works by Picasso, alongside 100 works by more than 50 of his contemporaries.

Visit ngv.vic.gov.au for tickets to Friday Nights and Bar Lourinhã pop-up bookings