House Made Hospitality has turned the Museum of Sydney forecourt into Bridge Street Social, an open-air space that softens one of the CBD’s busiest corners into an easy after-work drop-in, every Wednesday to Friday, from 4–8pm. There’s a bar parked out front, DJs, and enough umbrellas and tables to make the city feel a little less… city.
Jason Williams, co-owner of House Made Hospitality, says the goal was simple. “We want Bridge Street Social to feel like an urban beer garden — the kind of place you drop into for a drink and end up staying for the vibe.”
The spotlight is firmly on the drinks. The list is short, confident, and built for warm afternoons – a crisp lineup of beers, Mercer wines from the Hunter, and a few mixed drinks that get straight to the point. Think a refreshing Four Pillars Fresh Yuzu Gin & soda, a Spicy Pineapple Margarita with proper kick, and a Kirin Hyoketsu Vodka Peach that arrives ice-cold.
Food is intentionally minimal – the wings come five ways, Buffalo, Parmesan & Garlic, Spicy Korean, Tandoori, or BBQ & Bourbon – backed by chips on a stick, sweet potato fries, and a hot sauce slaw. Enough to keep you going, without pulling attention from the drinks or the vibe.
For the Museum of Sydney, it’s also a chance to rework the forecourt into something more alive. “The Museum of Sydney sits at the heart of our city’s story, and Bridge Street Social is a brilliant way to bring that story into the present… It’s about reimagining the forecourt as a place not just to reflect, but to gather,” says CEO Annette Pitman.
The city pop up will be running through to 28 February, with a walk-ins only arrangement.