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‘Mid-century, sexy and lush’: Neil Perry and New York bar tsar to open Bobbie’s in Double Bay

The Perryfication of Double Bay continues, with the veteran chef set to open a fifth venue in the precinct.

Scott Bolles
Scott Bolles

Hold your swizzle sticks, Double Bay: Neil Perry is teaming up with Linden Pride, the bar tsar behind New York’s award-winning Dante, to add a luxe bar to postcode 2028.

Bobbie’s will open where Pelicano traded, in the Neville Gruzman-designed building on Bay Street, which will also house Perry’s upcoming Asian eatery, Song Bird.

Neil Perry at his Margaret restaurant in Double Bay.
Neil Perry at his Margaret restaurant in Double Bay.Dominic Lorrimer

“Bobbie’s is named after Linden’s grandfather, the legendary radio broadcaster Bob Rogers,” Perry says.

It will open less than 100 metres up Bay Street from Margaret, its own moniker a reference to Perry’s late mother.

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Despite Dante routinely appearing on lists of the world’s best bars, Perry says they decided on a new brand for their joint venture rather than transplanting the New York name given differences in the spaces.

Linden Pride of New York’s Dante bar.
Linden Pride of New York’s Dante bar.Rachel Olding

While Dante has lots of natural light, Bobbie’s will be a basement bar in a 1960s building.

“Mid-century, sexy, velvet: plush and lush. There’ll be live jazz, and all of Linden’s skill on drink-making will be on show,” Perry says.

“You don’t get named as having the best martini and negroni in New York without being very good.”

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Pride has a long history with Perry: “He started polishing glasses for me when he was 17.”

The Sydneysider continued to work in hospitality while at university, helping Perry to open restaurants before heading stateside.

“I’ve had him back here to do pop-ups, and we’ve done things at Dante … he’s a really good soul,” Perry says.

The veteran chef will occupy three levels at 24 Bay Street. Upstairs from Bobbie’s, the modern Asian venue Song Bird will trawl everywhere from China to Vietnam and Korea for menu inspiration.

Both venues are slated to open in February 2024.

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The Perryfication of Double Bay is well under way. Perry has already added the casual Next Door venue beside Margaret, as well as Baker Bleu, the cult bakery he co-owns with Mike and Mia Russell.

“I don’t want to do anything I can’t walk to,” Perry says.

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Scott BollesScott Bolles writes the weekly Short Black column in Good Food.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/goodfood/sydney-eating-out/mid-century-sexy-and-lush-neil-perry-and-new-york-bar-tsar-open-bobbie-s-in-double-bay-20230601-p5dd88.html