Bar Messenger opens this week at Circular Quay, its moniker a reference to the historic building it is tucked inside.

A relief sculpture of the Roman god Mercury that sits above the entrance to Transport House on Phillip Street is its inspiration.

“Mercury is the messenger of the gods,” says Belinda Stapleton, who is the general manager of hospitality at property and hospitality giant Mulpha, owner of the building.

Bar Messenger slides into a space that used to house banks of files. “When we started exploring we discovered some amazing sandstone,” Stapleton says.

With Simone Barr of Daarc Architecture + Interiors onboard, they’ve fashioned a city bar that takes inspiration from the area’s historic heritage.

“The first wine cuttings were stored nearby. They tried to plant them in the Botanic Gardens but they didn’t take,” Stapleton says.

There was more success with wine in the Hunter Valley, where Mulpha owns Bimbadgen Estate.

Bar Messenger will stock some of the company’s wines, but Stapleton says it’ll only make up about 10 per cent of the list.

Also exported from the Hunter is restaurant manager Aaron Rothe, who’ll steer Bar Messenger.

The list is wine heavy with a few classic cocktails, while food has a tight sweep of bar snacks, salumi and cheese.

Two grilled cheese toasties also feature on the menu: a mortadella number with gruyere and mustard, and an ox heart tomato jaffle with ham and gruyere.

Open Wed-Thu 3pm-late; Fri noon-late; Sat 3pm-late.

10 Phillip Street, Sydney, barmessenger.com.au