Celebrity chef Neil Perry announces shock closure of his popular bar: 'Absolutely devastated'
The stylish basement bar in Sydney 's eastern suburbs, is tucked beneath his popular Cantonese restaurant Song Bird inside Gaden House.
The nine-month-old establishment was a passion project Perry launched in partnership with New York-based hospitality heavyweight Linden Pride, co-owner of Dante and Caffe Dante - two of Manhattan's most acclaimed bars.
The team from the swanky jazz bar broke the news of the sudden closure on May 29 - leaving customers devastated.
'Last drinks at Bobbie's. Tonight we raise a glass one final time - to the memories, the music, the cocktails, the team and the incredible guests who made Bobbie's so special,' a Bobbie's spokesperson said on social media.
'A heartfelt thank you to everyone who sipped, danced, and shared all the good times. Your support meant the world.
'And today we remember and honour the man who inspired it all - the legendary Bob Rogers. Bobbie's was named for you, and you will always be in our hearts. With love and gratitude, The Bobbie's Team.'
Perry revealed the decision was made jointly as his business partner shifts focus to his booming business overseas.
'Linden's US-based hospitality group, Dante, is expanding rapidly, with multiple new venues planned across America in the next 18 months,' the top chef said in a statement, according to Hospitality Magazine.
'Our landlords are in discussions with prospective operators interested in taking over the space.'
The restaurateur opened both Bobbie's and Song Bird in August 2024, with Bobbie's cocktail bar occupying the basement, and Song Bird just above on street level.
With an ambitious vision of delivering world-class cocktails to Sydney's eastern suburbs, Bobbie's dream was short-lived, with operations winding up quietly amid behind-the-scenes reshuffling at Gaden House.
Locals were quick to comment last week at their dismay of the popular bar closing, with many referring to it as an 'institution'.
'So sad to see you go. An institution. Thanks for the great memories. Thinking of all the beautiful thoughtful staff who worked there,' one wrote.
'So sad - fantastic cocktails and such amazing bartenders and service. You will all be missed,' another added.
'This is heartbreaking - we love you Bobbie's,' one shared.
'My favourite bar - such great shame,' another revealed.
'Absolutely devastated - Sydney needed this,' one said.
While the bar's closure has sparked speculation around the future of Song Bird upstairs, Perry was quick to quash rumours that his multi-level Cantonese restaurant is also shutting up shop.
'Song Bird is absolutely not closing,' he told Hospitality Magazine, clarifying that recent reports in the Australian Financial Review referred to a strategic review of the restaurant's footprint - not its demise.
Instead, Perry revealed he's scaling back from four floors to three, with the top level - originally set to house an event space and a la carte dining - now being handed over to become private offices.
'Managing three levels as part of the restaurant proved more complex than we anticipated. Streamlining our footprint will greatly enhance our operations,' he explained.
With the changes, Song Bird will now seat 140 diners, including outdoor tables, and introduce a new menu inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese flavours.
Perry described the revised layout as 'the ideal size to manage and a key part of the Margaret Family Precinct moving forward.'
The closure of Bobbie's marks a rare misstep for Perry, whose dining empire includes restaurant's Rockpool, Spice Temple, Margaret, and Next Door located in Sydney, as well as Rockpool and Rosetta in Melbourne.
'Running Bobbie's has been a fantastic experience. While we're disappointed to see it go, this move allows Linden to focus on Dante's growth and gives me the opportunity to concentrate fully on Song Bird, Margaret, Next Door, and our bakery,' Perry said.
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