New group Linchpin Hospitality has officially launched, kicking off its management of several venues with the introduction of Australian-Chinese restaurant Double Happy at the Empire Hotel, Annandale.
Linchpin Hospitality is a management company providing specialised services across food, beverage, and accommodation, operating a portfolio of several venues across Sydney and Melbourne. Linchpin is led by CEO Terry Soukoulis (ex-The Lucas Group, Hotel Sorrento) and an experienced leadership team which includes Head of Culinary George Calombaris, Head of Operations Adam Males (ex-Merivale, QT Sydney, qualia), and Head of Hotels and New Development Joanna Sproule (ex-Ovolo, QT, The Langham).
Linchpin operates several venues including Lady Hampshire and Derrel’s in Camperdown; Clifton Hotel and Puttanesca in Kew; Empire Hotel in Annandale – with more to relaunch later this year.
As part of Linchpin Hospitality’s portfolio, the group is operating a few pubs that were under the operations of Jon Adgemis’ Public Hospitality, and the two groups have been erroneously equated as one and the same by news outlets. Soukoulis has set the record straight with Australian Hotelier, explaining that Public and its creditors are the landlords of a few of its venues, but that’s where the relationship between the two companies ends.
“There has been a lot of incorrect reporting. Linchpin Hospitality is an entirely separate company with absolutely no operational connection to Jon Adgemis or Public Hospitality. We are a dedicated hospitality management company that operates and provides services to venues and accommodation on behalf of landlords and owners,” Soukoulis stated.
“This year, we’re excited to reopen several iconic venues, including the Empire Hotel in Annandale, Oxford Tavern in Petersham, the Hotel Diplomat in Potts Point (formerly Bayswater Sydney Hotel), and a new boutique hotel with multiple dining and drinking offerings on the site of Noah’s Backpackers in Bondi. We’re also revitalising the former Emerald Room in Darlinghurst, which will reopen as a bar and event space. We’re building something new at Linchpin Hospitality, with a really talented team and a clear vision, and we’re excited to see that vision come to life.”
Double Happy at the Empire Hotel
Linchpin Hospitality’s debut venue is the Double Happy, the new Australian-Chinese restaurant at the Empire Hotel in Annandale. In a tribute to the Chinese restaurants of the 1980s, it’s a playful take on the concept that bridges the gap between a casual eatery and a place to eat with friends and family.
“We wanted something casual enough for a midweek dinner, but special enough to bring the in-laws to for a celebration,” says Calombaris, who developed the menu.
“The Australian-Chinese style of restaurant has a nostalgia that resonates with so many people, and we thought it was the perfect fit for the community. Seeing the locals embrace it has been incredible—we’ve already been packing out 100+ diners on Friday and Saturday nights during our soft openings.”
All the classic dishes are on the menu, including beef in black bean sauce, sweet and sour pork and honey lemon chicken. There’s also room for invention on the menu, with dishes like prawn toast tostada and BBQ pork pizza. Dim sum can also be found at Double Happy, as well as ‘secret’ spring rolls, with the filling changing daily. Another daily rotation is the special sundae of the day, with toppings that could be anything from rockmelon, mochi and puffed rice to mango, caramel and sago pearls.
The drinks menu leans into the fun of the concept, with cocktails like a frozen lychee martini, mango pancake pina colada and a yuzu-shu sake-pop.
An additional dining concept at the back of the Empire Hotel is Dale’s Pizza, serving a range of wood-fired pizzas, as well as classic pub dishes.
Launching early spring, the Empire Hotel will also unveil a fresh accommodation offering. Spanning two floors, 21 rooms are being completely refurbished.
Linchpin’s 2025 plans
Linchpin Hospitality has several other projects underway this year across dining, drink and accommodation at the following venues:
- Oxford Tavern (Petersham) – reopening mid-year with a public bar, new restaurant and upstairs event space
- Hotel Diplomat (Potts Point, formerly Bayswater Sydney Hotel) – set to reopen in the coming months with refreshed accommodation and dining/drinking.
- Exchange Hotel (Balmain) – reopening in winter with a ground-floor wine bar and boutique accommodation.
- Formerly Emerald Room (Darlinghurst) – undergoing refurbishment to relaunch as a bar and event space.
- Claridge House (Darlinghurst) – transforming into a boutique hotel with a ground-floor dining/drinking venue.
- Formerly Noah’s Backpackers (Bondi) – reopening this summer as a luxury boutique hotel with multiple dining options, including a rooftop.
The Empire Hotel, Double Happy and Dale’s Pizza are now open.