The historic Pumphouse Sydney in Darling Harbour has just reopened following an extensive renovation that includes a new wine room and an industrial design.
The design was inspired by Pumphouse Sydney’s roots, with the venue once supplying power to a booming city, according to Novotel Sydney Darling Square.
The new wine room is available for tastings and private dining and will feature a broad selection of wines from international and local winemakers, with QR codes able to be scanned to review tasting notes. The wines will be available to drink on-site or as takeaways.
Metallic touches aim to add a premium feel to the relaunched venue, which maintains its heritage-listed facade. The new space also features a new timber bar, and the work of Australian artist Lance Corlett on the pendant shades that hang over the bar.
Upstairs at Pumphouse Sydney 
Pumphouse Sydney’s new timber bar
“We are incredibly excited to open the doors of the Pumphouse Sydney,” Novotel Sydney Darling Square’s general manager Nikki Little said. “We have taken into consideration what our customers love about this venue, and have elevated those aspects to provide an experience people can’t wait to go back to.”
The Pumphouse Sydney was also one of the city’s first microbreweries, so craft remains a strong focus, with its range including the Thunderbolt Strong Ale which was born in the old microbrewery, inspired by Sydney’s historic Captain Thunderbolt.
Pumphouse Sydney has also curated its own range of cocktails including ‘Steam Punk’ with vanilla vodka and flavours of passionfruit, ‘The Heritage’, a simple cocktail of vanilla vodka, Chambord and pineapple, the gin-based and lychee flavoured ‘The Darling’, and the Pumphouse Negroni.
The Pumphouse Sydney head chef is Anthony Kirk and he and his team have created a new range of seasonal-produce inspired main meals and sharing-style offerings including three types of boards: the Bushman with a selection of cured meats, a veggie board, and a seafood option, all featuring house-made wood-fired flatbreads.
Main meals include Red Snapper in a fish broth with baby fennel, fresh herbs and garlic crostini and a classic PH Burger. Signature waffles such as a lamington waffle and a banoffee pie waffle have also been added to the menu.
“The concept for the new menu has been inspired by the Pumphouse Sydney’s rich history, fusing great Australian pub food with grazing dishes to keep customers satisfied,” Kirk said.