Odd Culture Group is repositioning The Duke of Enmore in Sydney’s Inner West as a live music destination and has rolled out a new menu as it continues its shake-up of Sydney’s pub and bar scene.
The live music launch, which was due to kick off last night, has been paused in light of Sydney’s current COVID-19 restrictions. From next week, restrictions allowing, The Duke will host free music across a near 7-day programming throughout July and August and beyond from a range of genres including blues, heavy metal, country and rock and roll. A new drum riser has been built at the pub and several upgrades to the lighting and sound system.
Odd Culture reopened The Duke in October last year after securing the leasehold. The live music launch coincides with the Inner West Council’s announcement of Enmore Road as the state’s first Special Entertainment Precinct and a revamped food menu for The Duke based around a custom woodfire oven and charcoal grill.
The new food and drink offering draws inspiration from Middle Eastern flavours and first launched on Saturday June 19. It is headed by chef Doug Alvarenga and the menu will feature loud, salty, sour and spicy flavours.
“When we bought The Duke in October last year, the first thing we did was knock the pokies out and turn it into a food and beverage space. This is the second stage of our grand plan,” Odd Culture Group General Manager James Thorpe told Australian Hotelier.
“The live music was due to start at The Duke yesterday, but given the current restrictions, we’ve paused it until next Wednesday.”
The Duke’s general manager Sabrina Medcalf said much time had been invested in curating fun events that support local musicians, particularly during Covid.
“Rest assured, you’ll hear The Duke before you see it,” she says.
This is the latest in a series of big moves from Odd Culture Group, including a rebrand late last year, the divestment of Darlinghurst venue The Taphouse, and the purchase of The Old Fitzroy Hotel in Sydney’s Woolloomooloo.
Odd Culture Group’s other venues include The Oxford Tavern and the soon-to-open Odd Culture Newtown which will showcase independent wild fermentation ales and natural wines.