By Annabelle Cloros
Last year, Sydney-based group House Made Hospitality announced it had joined Redfern’s Wunderlich Lane precinct, and now we know a little more about the two new additions.
The team snapped up the historic Bank of New South Wales building on the corner of Baptist and Cleveland Streets — the last heritage venue in the precinct — which will soon house Baptist St. Rec. Club and Island Radio.
“We think Island Radio’s tropical vibe, warm service, and tasty menu, complemented by Baptist St. Rec Club’s knack for great cocktails, eccentric feel, and a lively atmosphere will be a real point of difference for the area,” says Director Justin Newton.
“We’re excited to see the interest and energy that both venues will bring to Wunderlich Lane, and how they’ll fit into the broader Redfern and Surry Hills communities.”
Island Radio Eating House and Noodle Bar is based on a ‘future desa’ — meaning place or space in Sanskrit — and will serve South East Asian cuisine with influences ranging from Singapore and Indonesia to Malaysia and the Philippines.
The space will be split into two areas: Eating House comprises the majority of the space and will be decked out with communal tables, booths, and private dining spaces while the Noodle Bar will be at the front of the venue, offering guests a more casual space to drop in for a quick meal or a drink.
Easy Tiger’s Executive Chef Andrianto Wirya is heading up the kitchen and has already locked in a range of launch dishes including LP’s smoked ox tongue with turmeric gravy and fried shallots as well as half a suckling pig with sambal matah.
Baptist St. Rec. Club is located upstairs and is described as a “cocktail tavern channnelling the offbeat, playful spirit of ’80s and ’90s Australia”.
The bar has space for 120 patrons and will be decked out with more than 750 music, TV, and film decals. Live bands and DJs will also be hosted on weekends.
On the drinks front, expect plenty of beer options, classic cocktails, and a local-centric wine list.
Both venues are slated to open in late spring — official launch dates to come.
