Sydney, you choose the bill at the reopening of these boutique restaurants…

The pubs, restaurants and bars Sydneysiders love are reopening, and for those of us who can, it’s a rush to treat ourselves to a well-deserved night on the town. Plus, it’s a chance to support the hospitality industry who have been hit especially hard by the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

And if you’re looking for the perfect opportunity to do just that, then we think we have the one. 

Applejack – Sydney’s boutique hospitality group – initial response to the increasing restrictions was to hibernate their seven Sydney restaurants. But, fans of their venues such as the CBD’s Bopp & Tone, Neutral Bay’s SoCal and The Butler in Potts Point, will be pleased to hear that as the city begins to reopen, so too will these venues.
SoCal Meal Spread, Applejack Venue. Image supplied.

SoCal Meal Spread, Applejack Venue. Image supplied.

But there’s a twist. 

To celebrate the reopening of their venues, to show their gratitude to staff who lost their work throughout lockdown and to protect Australia’s vulnerable during the health crisis, Applejack are running a group-wide “Food Sales For Staff” initiative. For the first days of trade at all their restaurants, all food will be provided on-the-house, and diners are encouraged to pay what they wish for their order. From here, all monetary contributions will then be pooled and shared equally and directly with those employees who lost their income and weren’t eligible for the JobKeeper Payment scheme. 

SoCal renovated rooftop terrace. Applejack venue. Image supplied.

SoCal renovated rooftop terrace. Applejack venue. Image supplied.

Following the return of June’s Shoppe which opened for takeaway in Sydney’s CBD last month, this unique way to directly support their employees will kick off late June by swinging open the doors of SoCal, the group’s first major reopening. The Neutral Bay residing restaurant and bar will reopen on Monday 22 June, along with the reveal of brand-new renovations to their sunny rooftop terrace.

For the first three nights of trade (Monday 22 – Wednesday 24 June), SoCal will be operating as a taqueria, serving up delicious tacos, along will classic favourites such as  Guac and Black Corn Tortilla Chips and the sweet after dinner treat, Churros with Dulce de Leche sauce. Naturally, all food will be on the house, and all diners are encouraged to leave a Taco Tip, choosing what they pay, which will then be distributed to employees.

This will be followed by the unique and eclectic venue The Butler (Potts Point), which will be welcoming customers once again from Monday 06 July, kicking off with a Feast for Friends. Thus, their Ibero-american banquet menu will be offered on-the-house, with diners asked to leave a tip to go directly to Applejack staff. From Tuesday 07 July, their new seasonal menu will be on available.

Similarly, Kirribilli native, The Botanist, will be opening their doors once again on Monday 13 July, with a one-off Family Feast – a banquet menu on-the-house filled with their distinctive menu classics such as their Ora King Salmon and Fried Cauliflower, with tips again going to staff. Their full seasonal menu will be available from Tuesday 14 July.

Applejack hope to follow this initiative with the remainder of their venues with Bopp & Tone (CBD) and Endeavour Tap Rooms (The Rocks) aiming to reopen in August. Naturally, each will be supporting their staff by also employing the Food Sales For Staff initiative.

To discover more, head to the Applejack website.

If you want more Sydney dining ideas, discover this romantic wine bar in Woollahra, or, if you still prefer to stay inside, then get these date night packages delivered.