New rum bar for Sydney

By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs

Rum-focused small bar The Lobo Plantation has opened its doors in Sydney, boasting a lavish interior design and over 150 fine rums from across the globe.

The trio behind the new venue – Michael Hwang, Eddie Levy and Jared Merlino – have created a bar that combines the glamour of 1950s Cuba, with the festive vibes of the Caribbean and the elegance of Europe.

The venue is named after Julio Lobo, a larger-than-life Cuban sugar baron who lived an extraordinary life that included building casinos and dating Hollywood starlets. Lobo’s lifestyle served as an inspiration for designer Josh Clapp of Taught By Black, who created the venue’s lavish fitout including a vintage doorway from Argentina and a timber and brass bar built using antique French shutters. [continued below]

Michael Hwang, Jared Merlino and Eddie Levy

The venue also features a vertical garden, curved staircase, red leather Chesterfields, herringbone timber floors, an intricate domed ceiling, beautiful mosaic tiles and custom built vanities in the bathroom with beautiful hand-painted basins.

The bar's extensive rum selection is put to good use in an array of classic and signature rum cocktails created by a talented bar team that includes Jay Gray, Simon Toohey, Dylan Minehan and Andres Walters.

The Lobo Plantation
Basement, 209 Clarence St, Sydney
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 4pm to 1am