Lee Potter Cavanagh (left) and David Rozario (right) will head up the launch of Middlebar
Once a staple of the Sydney bar scene, Middle Bar — on the middle level at Kinsela’s in Darlinghurst — made way for LoFi towards the end of 2010.
But in a what is old is new again kind of way, LoFi has recently shut and its owners, The Riversdale Group, are renovating and relaunching as Middlebar in mid to late July.
On board for the opening is consultant Lee Potter Cavanagh (who recently finished a run with the popup bar, Whisky Jerx), who’ll be fulfilling the executive bartender role and heading up the tins to start with.
David Rozario (ex-The Baxter Inn) is in as venue manager, and will also be working across the Riversdale Group as their new group bars training manager.
“I’ve chosen an exciting drinks menu focusing on the Gintonic, seasonal produce and fun, modern cocktails without the wank factor of a neo-speakeasy bar,” said Potter Cavanagh. “Combine this with the tunes Rizza [Rozario] is putting together for Middlebar and the eats of Johnny Wong’s Dumpling Bar in a stripped back, warm, no fuss environment and you’ve got a recipe for excess!”
Potter Cavanagh said that a recent trip to Cuba has inspired the menu.
“All you hear about Cuba is the old cars and about it being stuck in time, in truth this aspect is kind of sad. It’s almost like one giant run down amusement park from the 1920-50’s,” he said.
“However once you get past that you discover an incredible culture in which enjoyment, dance and conversation are the cornerstones of everyday life. Recently there has been an influx of Spanish people attracted to this way of life and they have brought with them innovation and their own drinking culture.”
Expect Middlebar to open around the 23rd of July. Now, can someone do something about re-opening the Bayswater Brasserie?