Jolene’s Sydney is set to bring whiskey, cocktails, live music and southern hospitality when it opens in Sydney’s CBD.
Jolene’s Sydney
Located at basement level in York St Sydney, Jolene’s Sydney is the new venture by Peter Fischer (NOLA Smokehouse and Bar, The Swinging Cat) and Simon Rose-Hopkins (NOLA Smokehouse & Bar, Surly’s American Tavern, Websters Bar & Bacardi Brand Ambassador).
The concept takes inspiration from Nashville, Tennessee and Simon’s travels to bring the southern hospitality to the Sydney bar scene. “I’ve had some amazing experiences during my travels of the US, walking into a bar and within 5 minutes I’m friends with everybody and being told the city’s best places to eat/drink, even had a bartender drive me to Jack Daniel’s and back the next day, after only meeting them the night before,” said Simon.
The booths are named after country singers, Chris Stapleton, Kenny Rodgers, Johnny cash, Taylor Swift (for those more mainstream lovers) and Dolly Parton for the 12-seater VIP booth. Live music is slated for Friday and Saturday nights, and continue four times a week, supporting local country and rock bands, with the bar deliberately placed on the opposite end of the venue to the stage so guests can interact with the team while the live music is playing.
The beverage program is designed to bring a fun new approach to Bourbon, Rye and Tennessee whiskey. Dubbed as “Redneck Tiki”, the aim is to showcase the versatility of the spirits and encourages them to be used in non-traditional flavour matchings. Main heroes include “Islands in the Stream”, which involves a boozy tropical juice with Tennessee whiskey, and “Superbowl Sundae”, a coffee cocktail topped with a “pancake” whipped cream, and “Trash Panda”, a Drambuie, coconut and pineapple cocktail inspired by the state animal of Tennessee being a racoon.
With his background as Brand Ambassador, Simon will offer an open invitation industry training. The Jolene’s Sydney team has partnered with the creators of “Young Bloods” in Perth (Emma Crisp and Xander Stucken) to give the program a home in Sydney. The Young Bloods “rookie only” cocktail competition will be held on a bi-monthly basis at the venue, helping to support fresh and up and coming bartenders sharpen their skills.
Jolene’s Sydney is located at basement level, 73 York St Sydney and is set to open on 6 April 2022.
Click through to the following pages to view images of the venue and cocktails. All images are supplied.
