Sydney's oldest pub, The Fortune of War, is opening a new bistro and hotel

The Fortune of War is Sydney’s oldest pub, dating back to 1828.
It has been closed since March 24, operating alfresco while the interior is refurbished.
The expansion will include a 60-seat bistro and refreshed rooms in the boutique hotel.
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After more than 196 years of serving schooners to Sydney, The Fortune of War is getting a refresh. It closed three weeks ago and has been operating alfresco while work in underway inside. The team has now announced that it will open in time for Vivid Sydney in May, and we’ve heard some details about what we can expect when it opens.

The Fortune of War in the 1970s. (Image © National Library of Australia, via fortuneofwar.com.au)

Inside the refurbishment works

Revealing more online, the team at The Fortune of War shared that the historic hamper bar is having a restorative facelift. The 100-year-old red oak bar is being restored, new carpet installed and the walls are getting a paint job—but they assure patrons that “its heritage, charm and history will stay just as you know and love it.”

As well as a cosmetic refresh to the bar, the Russell Boutique Hotel is having a revival. The family-owned, heritage-listed boutique hotel dates back to 1887 and sits above the historic pub. Rooms are being refreshed but the quirks remain, including the non-sequential order of the rooms.

Accompanying the relaunched pub is the Russell Boutique Hotel. Situated upstairs, warmly decorated rooms offer a timeless charm and even a partial view of Sydney Harbour, if you’re lucky. Yet a few quirks still remain. With the 19th-century building once used as a hospital, none of the rooms are in sequential order. Steve Speed, who took over the leasehold with his wife Fiona and a group of investors in 2013, says: “I’ve been here almost 13 years and I still get confused as to where each one is, but it’s those little authentic things that enhance someone’s stay.” Ahead of the reopening, the hotel is taking bookings from May 12.

Perhaps the highlight of the work, however, is the opening of Bistro 1828. Where The Push Bar and two retail stores previously stood next door, the new bistro will feature an open kitchen and bar, high ceilings and original windows that overlook George Street and Glebe Street. The expansion has been needed for a while, Speed explains:

We’re very much a food and beverage pub, but due to the small size of the kitchen, we haven’t been able to provide our dream dining experience for guests, until now. People visit the pub because they want to take their time to read the walls and talk to us about what it’s like to work at Sydney’s oldest pub. It’s a place steeped in history, and now more people than ever will be able to enjoy it.

It’ll be open daily, serving breakfast from 7am and Fortune of War favourites such as fish and chips and their signature beef and Guinness stew until 9:30pm. Bringing his bistro expertise from Woollhara’s French institution, Bistro Moncur, The Fortune’s new executive chef Mark Williamson is elevating the menu alongside the classics. The same menu will be available throughout the venue, so it won’t matter whether you sit inside, at Bistro 1828 or outside at the alfresco area.

Until the inside venues reopen, patrons can still enjoy a cold pint, food and live music outside.

The Fortune of War

Address: 137 George Street, The Rocks.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 9am until late.
Nearest station: Circular Quay, where ferries, trains and buses operate, is only a two-minute walk away.

For moreinformation visit fortuneofwar.com.au