Hospitality group Applejack, has taken over two of Sydney’s most iconic harbourside venues – Opera Bar and House Canteen – kicking off a 10-year partnership with the Sydney Opera House.
Known for shaping Sydney favourites like The Butler, RAFI, Forrester’s, and Bopp & Tone, Applejack has brought its signature approach to cocktails, food, and atmosphere to the Opera House precinct.
Opera Bar now has a reimagined cocktail list with a focus on signature sips with a Sydney edge. Highlights include the Opera Spritz, built with an Australian aperitivo, sparkling wine and citrus for a light, refreshing serve. The Bitter Harbour Negroni leans into a local amaro with layered depth and a bittersweet backbone, while the Sydney Martini celebrates Australian gin and vermouth, delivering a clean, briny finish. For something brighter, the Watermelon Margarita with a chilli-salt rim is set to be a summer staple, while the Harbour Highball rotates seasonally, built around fruit and herbs are at their peak.
The classics list holds its ground too, from Espresso Martinis with locally roasted coffee to crisp Daiquiris that balance between sweet and sharp. The wine and beer programs lean heavily into New South Wales producers, backing the cocktails with a strong local story.
To match the drinks, Applejack has partnered with Arts-Matter to roll out a new live music program at Opera Bar, running seven nights a week. Expect relaxed acoustic sets in the afternoons before DJs and live bands pick up the tempo into the evening, giving the drinks list a soundtrack that fits the harbour backdrop.
Next door, House Canteen now runs daily from 7:30am until late. While food here is casual – sushi, dumplings, and curries – the drinks list shifts to suit the pace of the day. Coffee and juices in the morning, then into wines, local beers, sake, and a handful of cocktails in the evening.