One of Sydney’s most quietly influential basement bars is marking a milestone – and using it as the moment to reset. On Sunday 1 March, Burrow Bar will celebrate its 10th birthday with one last party before closing for a full refurbishment and brand overhaul. The event doubles as a farewell to the bar as Sydney knows it, and a soft launch into what comes next.
“For a decade, Burrow Bar has quietly watered and welcomed Sydney’s parched, adding warmth and old-fashioned hospitality, championing creativity, community, and service without compromise,” said co-owner Chau Tran. “This milestone celebration is both a love letter to the past and a signal that much more is still to come.”
The night kicks off from 6pm, before Burrow Bar’s cult tiki pop-up Lost Luau takes over the space in a ceremonial handover of the flaming pineapple, bringing its signature escapism and tropical theatrics back to the basement where it built its following.
“Lost Luau will run for a couple of months,” Tran said. “We will work with our build team off site while LL runs to keep close to a minimum. It will be a full overhaul with new concept and name.”
The refresh isn’t a handover or exit strategy – the founding team is staying firmly in control. “We are holding onto ownership. After ten wonderful years we felt it was time to give the place a real change,” Tran said. “When we opened a decade ago drinking out was different.”
Throughout the night, long-time collaborators Archie Rose, Don Julio, Planteray, Jameson and Disaronno will make appearances, each promising small surprises as part of the celebrations.
The milestone lands after a decade that’s been anything but smooth sailing for the team. “We want to acknowledge the people who helped us get through the last decade, including a pandemic with two lockdowns, one venue move, a restaurant opening, and over 10,000 meals donated to fellow hospos during the hardest and darkest times,” Tran said.
“This 10th birthday is not a farewell, but a celebration of all we have done before our next chapter,” Tran said. “A final toast to what Burrow Bar has been – and a tease of something exciting and new on the horizon.”
More details on the Lost Luau run and the venue’s new concept are expected to be announced in the coming months.