By Sacha Delfosse – editor bars&clubs
A New York-styled bar and restaurant, York Trading & Co., has joined the bustling bar strip that has been growing on York Street in Sydney CBD.
Owners Matthias Larcher and Gwen Tran have drawn influences from The Great Gatsby and the building's own art deco style for a sleek and sophisticated layout featuring a long, dark timber bar, leather bar stools, art deco light fittings and plenty of mirrors.
"The 1920s art deco style lends itself to the building's heritage. We wanted to create something that was vibrant, stylish, upmarket and casual at the same time," said Larcher.
Former Mojo Record Bar manager, Natalia Ng, has been consulting on the project. She will be working at the venue for the next few months alongside former Café Sydney bar manger, Ryan Gardam.
Chef Simon Mackay, formerly from Sydney’s Bambini Trust restaurant, has created a menu influenced by Italian street food, with share plates that can be “upscaled”. The venue also has a big wine focus.
"We have reasonably priced wines from everywhere. We have some cool, different varietals. When putting the list together we were looking for wines with a good back story that are simple, straight up and down wines," said Larcher.
"We are not a restaurant with a bar focus but rather a venue where the food complements the booze."
Ng said the beer list is equally impressive, made up mainly of Australian craft beers, with a few tasty overseas beers as well. The bar also has a good selection of boutique ciders.
"We have a solid cocktail list with around 15 classic Prohibition-era drinks – fun and twisted," she added.
York Trading & Co. is open Monday to Friday from 8am to midnight.
28 York St, Sydney
Phone: (02) 9299 3389