Odd Culture Group is opening a new all-day neighbourhood osteria in Sydney’s CBD, with Bar Bruno set to launch on York Street on 21 May. Sitting above the group’s recently opened underground daiquiri bar and discotheque, Razz Room, Bar Bruno marks the second CBD venue opening for the group this year.
Located at 18-20 York Street, the venue is led by Odd Culture Group chief executive officer Rebecca Lines and takes its cues from the casual, familiar nature of Italian osterias, with a focus on approachable food, aperitivo-style drinks, and all-day hospitality.
“We see ‘neighbourhood’ as less about geography and more about connection,” says Lines.
“Bar Bruno will always offer guests – no matter whether they are regulars or first-time diners – the same, consistent experience of thoughtful food and genuine hospitality.”
The drinks offering has been shaped by Odd Culture Group beverage manager Jordan Blackman, who describes the menu as “a celebration of aperitivo culture,” leaning heavily into bitter flavours, spritzes, amaro, and Italian classics with a playful edge.
Cocktails include Bruno’s Negroni with Four Pillars olive leaf gin, rockmelon, olive, and house vermouth; a Strawberry & Radicchio Spritz with gentian and velvet falernum; and a Margarita Italiano mixing Patrón silver tequila with amaretto and limoncello. There’s also a Pine Nut Old Fashioned made with bourbon, cynar artichoke and toasted pine nut, alongside a Grasshopper topped with Mapo’s fior di latte gelato and a classic Caffé Corretto served with grappa, amaretto or Strega.
Aperitivo staples feature heavily across the menu with Milano-Torinos, Aperol Spritzes and Negronis, while the non-alcoholic list includes a No-Groni, Crodino Spritz, T.I.N.A 3.0 with hōjicha green tea and pink guava, plus alcohol-free wine, and beer options.
“The wine list will be very unapologetically Italian, of course – why drink Petit Chablis when you can enjoy Etna Bianco or Soave?” says Blackman.
The concise 100-bottle wine list will rotate regularly and focus on Italian producers, emerging winemakers, and Australian producers working with Italian varietals, alongside rare Barolo bottlings, and back-vintage Etna wines.
In the kitchen, Odd Culture Group executive chef Tony Gibson has designed a menu that moves throughout the day, starting with Genovese coffee and house-made pastries before shifting into an à la carte offering focused on seafood, crudo and meat dishes over heavier pasta-driven fare.
Designed by Sarah Watt of Studio Vista, the space leans into the building’s heritage details with exposed brick walls, high ceilings, exposed beams and hammered glass windows inspired by New York warehouse spaces. Booths, bar seating, and communal tables sit alongside walls lined with artwork and hand-painted ceramics, creating a venue designed equally for quick solo coffees, long lunches, late-night cocktails and after-work catch ups.
Bar Bruno opens Thursday, 21 May at 18-20 York Street, Sydney, operating from 10am until late Monday to Friday and from 12pm until late on Saturdays.