Hobart nightlife: The Metz Sandy Bay set for shock revival

Two Hobart hospitality kingpins are set to reopen an iconic watering hole more than a decade after its demise, revealing their revamp plans and when drinks will flow once again.

It was the scene of many a barely remembered night on the town and now it can be revealed two childhood best friends from Tasmania, who have both gone on to have staggering careers in Hobart’s hospitality industry, are set to return it to its former glory.

That’s right: Sandy Bay’s The Metz is making a comeback for the ages.

The revival is the brainchild of Room for a Pony’s Drew Port and Mr Burger’s Alex Haros, who’ve been best mates since they were neighbours at the age of two.

The Metz Sandy Bay will be located at its old haunt at 217 Sandy Bay Rd, which has had a number of guises since previous owners Cameron Clark and Stefan Giameos sold the business in 2011.

Alex Haros and Drew Port, co owners of The Metz Sandy Bay to open in December. Picture: Chris Kidd

Most recently, the venue was Dave’s Hot Pot, which closed earlier this year.

Prior to its becoming The Metz on the Bay, the venue housed watering-hole Nickleby’s, which blogger Romy Morgan memorably described in 2011 as an “infamous local institution of drinking, disco-ing and other such licentious disrepute”.

The Metz Sandy Bay to open in December. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Port and Mr Haros said the pair had previously spitballed the idea of going into business together – never seriously – and initially inspected the site with low expectations.

“Alex and I were approached by (vendor) Knight Frank to come and have a look,” Mr Port said.

“We had no real intentions of taking it at the time but then we walked through and all the memories came flooding back.”

Mr Haros agreed the pull of nostalgia was too strong to resist.

“We grew up coming here in our early twenties,” he said.

Drew Port’s Room for a Pony. Picture: Kelly Slater

“This is an iconic venue, Nickleby’s then The Metz, it’s been a powerhouse for such a long time.”

Mr Port said the pair’s mission statement was simple.

“Our vision is to bring it back to its former glory,” he said.

Mr Burger Rosny. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“It’s clear it’s still such a great venue, it’s got great feels to it.”

The pair are envisaging a “light breezy sort of venue, super welcoming, a nice spot to relax for hours on end, drinking wine and eating food”.

Movember Gala Party, Metz Bar on the Bay (L-R): Pearl and Hannah Jurist-Schoen, both of Sandy Bay, picture circa 2011. Picture: File

The Metz would operate as a brunch cafe from 7am–3pm, seven days a week, before transforming of an evening into a sleek bar and restaurant with Australian contemporary share plates.

The pair hope to open The Metz by mid-December.