Popular Sydney restaurant Bistrot 916 will hold final service on November 3

A beloved restaurant in Sydney’s eastern suburbs will serve last drinks, after shocking diners with news of its impending closure.

A beloved restaurant in Sydney’s eastern suburbs has announced it will hold its final service on November 3.

Dan Pepperell, Andy Tyson and Michael Clift – the trio behind Bistrot 916 – revealed in May the venue is being forced to close due to an impending “wrecking ball” – with its Potts Point site set to be demolished, much to customers’ dismay.

In an update on Sunday night, the co-owners shared last drinks (and steak frites) will be served at the French restaurant in eight weeks’ time.

“LAST SERVICE NOVEMBER 3RD,” an Instagram post read.

“As we dim the lights and await the approaching wrecking ball, we invite you for a final celebratory soirée.

“We would like to once again thank our extraordinary staff past and present and to our incredible customers, merci oui oui!”

Bistrot 916 will host its final service on November 3. Picture: Instagram

Opened just three years ago, Bistrot 916 became an instant favourite on the Sydney dining scene.

The restaurant is ceasing operations “to accommodate an impending real estate development” on Challis Avenue “early next year”.

“We close this chapter with a mix of pride and nostalgia,” Mr Clift said in a statement at the time of the initial announcement.

“Bistrot was our fortress during the Covid siege, our long lunch on a summer’s day, and our listening bar hideaway during winter. We’ll miss our little spot on Challis.”

Mr Pepperell, the chef behind the venue, said the team will “look to relocate Bistrot somewhere else in the CBD, so it’s not all bad news”.

Opened just three years ago, Bistrot 916 became an instant favourite on the Sydney dining scene. Picture: Instagram

‘We’ll miss our little spot on Challis.’ Picture: Instagram

Devastated diners described the news as ‘heartbreaking’.

Devastated diners described the news in May as “heartbreaking”.

“What? Why must this city rid itself of everything that brings us joy for the sake of overpriced development,” wrote one person.

“Let me guess … ‘luxury apartments’ on the way?” another commented.

Pepperell, Tyson and Clift have gone on to open Italian neighbourhood trattoria, Pellegrino 2000, in Surry Hills, and New York-style steakhouse, Clam Bar, in Sydney’s CBD.

The trio is slated to open Neptune’s Grotto, an Italian basement diner below the Clam Bar site, within the coming months.

The co-owners of Bistrot 916, Michael Clift, Dan Pepperell and Andy Tyson. Picture: Supplied

The venue’s impending closure comes at a fraught moment for the hospitality industry.

While it hasn’t been the death knell for Bistrot 916, data last month showed countless other cafes and restaurants across Australia failed at the fastest rate on record last financial year.

As consumers pull back from discretionary purchases, the daily costs of running an eatery, including those associated with food and energy, have soared, as have interest rates, pushing popular businesses to the brink.

According to the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC), cafes, restaurants and small retailers registered disproportionate growth in insolvency appointments in the 12 months to June 30 this year.

The number of food services collapses skyrocketed by 50 per cent to a record 1667, compared to a previous high of 1114 in the 2023 financial year.

Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO Suresh Manickman said it was one of the toughest periods the sector has ever faced.

“Higher interest rates, cost of living pressures on the up, more expensive produce and the cost of energy are all having an impact,” Mr Manickman told The Australian.

“Compared to this time last year, people have less money in their pockets and a reduced ability to pay and go out, and there lies the problem the sector is facing.”

Originally published as Popular Sydney restaurant Bistrot 916 will hold final service on November 3