‘What a blow’: The Unicorn Hotel owners part ways with iconic Sydney pub
The operators of The Unicorn Hotel have announced they will vacate the Paddington pub, in “a blow” to fans of the Oxford Street venue.
The operators of The Unicorn Hotel have announced they will exit the iconic Paddington pub on September 1, in “a blow” to fans of the Oxford Street venue.
“To our beloved regulars, fierce supporters, once a month-ers and those 2AM randoms who always make our week – have some sad news. Sunday September 1st, will mark the end of our stewardship of the Unicorn Hotel,” owners Kenny Graham, Jake Smyth, Oscar McMahon and Drew Corbel shared on Instagram.
“We want to thank every staff member and collaborator and supplier from the bottom of our crazy wee hearts for being the reason this dream was lived.”
The group took over the site in December 2015, describing it at the time as “just a proper Aussie pub” that was also “proudly” Pokies-free. Graham, Smyth and Corbel are also behind Newtown burger joint Mary’s; McMahon, meanwhile, is the co-owner of Young Henrys beer.
“In 2017, a bunch of idiot mates were given the opportunity of a lifetime – to breathe new life into a magical beast. It has been one of the most difficult, rewarding, challenging and fulfilling experiences of our lives,” they said on Instagram.
“We opened the pub with a song in our hearts. A song that whispered about community, praised those forgotten 1980’s cookbooks and raged against those goddamn pokies. It’s time for the song to end, but we hope you keep humming along.
“May your beers be cold, your bed be full and may all your schnittys have a wing.”
Graham told The Sydney Morning Herald the team was vacating after selling The Unicorn’s lease as part of a wider freehold property deal.
“It’s good to go out with a pub that’s operating strongly in a tough environment,” he said, adding that the decision allows them to focus on the growth of their core businesses.
In their announcement, the group wished “the good folk who are carrying the flame of the ’Corn forward all the very best as they reimagine what a Unicorn can look like”.
The news came as a shock to many diners, with one saying it “will forever be the best example of Australian pub food & culture”.
“Very sad news. So many good memories,” another wrote.
“Goddamn. For 7 years it’s been impossible to have a bad time at the Unicorn. So many of my favourite Sydney times. What a blow,” a third said.
“Thanks for some great nights, some great schnittys and a hundred hangovers,” a fourth commented.
September 1 is also D-Day for fine-dining establishment Cirrus Dining, which announced last week it would hold its final service on that date after an eight-year run.
Co-owners Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt, of the Bentley Restaurant Group, said the decision to close their seafood-focused waterfront venue in Barangaroo was “bittersweet”.
“Whilst we wanted to extend our lease, we were unable to strike a deal with our new landlord,” the duo said in a statement on Thursday.
“Although this is disappointing, it has opened the door for new opportunities which will be announced soon.”