Scotty James leaps into hospitality game with Melbourne bar tsars

Snowboarding champion Scotty James has teamed up with Melbourne bar tsars to open a new venue in Sorrento. Here’s a sneak peek at the bayside hotspot.

Scotty James has partnered up with bar tzars Jerome Borazio and Mark Hinkley to open a new venue in Sorrento. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Australian snowboarding champion Scotty James has opened a seaside food and drink spot in Sorrento with Melbourne bar tsar Jerome Borazio.

“I’m excited by the hospitality game. It’s been a venture I’ve wanted to embark on for a while and I’m thrilled to do so on the Mornington Peninsula,” James told Confidential.

Borazio, who also co-owns Ponyfish Island, and former venues Thousand Pound Bend, The Resurrection, Back Alley Sally, and St Jerome’s The Hotel, added: “There was no plan, there was no desire. It just happened.”

Borazio, who founded the Laneway Festival has partnered up with James and hospitality king Mark Hinkley for the Sorrento venture, Ocean Beach Pavilion (OBP).

Diners and diners at the Ocean Beach Pavilion.

Hinkley’s Melbourne venues include The Emerson and Cafe Melba.

Borazio famously built his own bar, St Jerome’s, after being knocked back at too many venues for not wearing a suit.

A similar spirit influenced his decision to do the Sorrento bar and restaurant.

Borazio and his neighbour James, while in lockdown on the Mornington Peninsula, “faced the upsetting realisation (that) ordering dinner from their favourite dining destinations would require a trip to the city.”

“In the same way I thought, f--- it, I’ll build my own bar with St Jerome’s, I thought, ‘Let’s build our own joint with great Asian cuisine, so we don’t have to go to the city.’ I didn’t know how long we’d be in lockdown.”

OBP has teamed up with chef Teage Ezard, of Ezard and Gingerboy.

Reflecting his own laidback style, Borazio is promising a casual, family-friendly restaurant and bar “where shoes are optional”.

James, who won a bronze medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics, is currently ranked No.1 in the world for the men’s half-pipe.

A sneak peek at the bayside venue Ocean Beach Pavilion.

The snowboarder hopes his travels will inform different facets of the business.

“Travelling the world from a young age, I spent a lot of time in Japan,” he said. “I’m excited to implement unique ideas that I have experienced on the road, from service to the interior and exterior design.

“I hope to bring fresh ideas and help evolve OBP. It’s exciting times.”

Borazio said: “Apart from being a world No.1 snowboarder and Australia’s No.1 male athlete, (James) is bringing good energy to the project. He’s willing to work hard and get his hands dirty. He’s a superstar.”

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