
Applejack Hospitality is opening Winnie’s on the Sydney Opera House waterfront, a new all-day eatery named after the first woman to perform at the landmark.
Opening Thursday, August 6, Winnie’s will sit next door to Opera Bar with pastries, coffee, cocktails, NSW produce and more than 330 seats across the terrace and seawall.
The venue pays homage to Winifred Atwell, the Trinidad-born ragtime pianist who performed at the Opera House in 1964, years before the building officially opened. Atwell played Waltzing Matilda for the construction workers building what would become one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks.
The opening marks the first major launch on the property since Applejack took over Opera Bar and House Canteen from Solotel and Matt Moran last year, beginning a 10-year agreement to run the harbourside venues.
Applejack Co-Founder Hamish Watts said, “This harbourside dining venue has always had incredible energy, people coming and going, meeting before shows, catching up over a drink. Winnie’s is our chance to build on the legacy of Winifred Atwell to create a venue with its own identity that truly belongs here and feels as significant as the location itself.
“We were deeply inspired after watching footage of Winifred performing for the Opera House construction workers back in the 1960s. It captures exactly the energy we wanted for this venue: warm, joyous and uniquely fun.”
Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer Jade McKellar added, “We’re so excited for Sydney to fall in love with this beautiful new venue. Winifred Atwell was a true trailblazer and her incredible performance here all those years ago is such a special part of the building’s history.
“I love that we’re bringing her story to life in a new way. Great music, delicious menus and good company feels like the perfect next chapter for the Opera House.”
The new venue is part of Applejack’s wider plan for one of Sydney’s busiest dining precincts. Winnie’s includes an extended shopfront for pastries and house-made goods, an entirely new electric kitchen and an upgraded, fully operational bar servicing the terrace and seawall.
The menu comes from Applejack Culinary Director Patrick Friesen and Opera Bar Executive Chef Daniel Cooper, with a focus on NSW producers and local ingredients.
Signature dishes include chicken and sweetcorn congee, a Blue Swimmer crab omelette with beansprouts, herbs and sriracha, and conchiglie pasta with king prawns, chilli, basil and lime.
“The café is Australia’s greatest cultural export. It’s where we come together, where cultures meet and where we celebrate the city we live in,” said Applejack Director of Culinary Patrick Friesen.
“At Winnie’s, we’re just building on that: great NSW produce, cooked with the creativity and generosity that defines Australian café culture.”
Drinks have been curated by Applejack Group Beverage Manager Matt Johnson and Opera Bar Precinct Beverage Manager James “Rusty” Russell, starting with exclusive coffee from Sydney-based roasters Gabriel, plus matcha, chai and freshly squeezed juices.
Later in the day, the drinks list moves into cocktails using native and locally sourced flavours including wattleseed and Lilly Pilly, alongside classics like espresso martinis, house margaritas and Aperol spritz.
The wine and beer list keeps things close to home too, showcasing NSW producers including Stone & Wood, Young Henrys, Aaron Mercer and Tyrrell’s Family Wines.
The space has been redesigned by Australian studio Luchetti Krelle, with the interiors drawing from the Opera House’s original material palette. Red granite, dark terracotta, warm timber joinery, rich oxblood and bronze accents all feature, while significant heritage details have been retained.
Winnie’s will open seven days a week for all-day dining, with dine-in and takeaway options available for visitors on the go.
The opening is also the first stage in the broader refresh of the precinct. After Winnie’s opens, renovations will begin at Opera Bar, which is set to undergo a significant refurbishment before reopening ahead of the busy summer season.
Source: Pendulum Communications
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