By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
If Rozelle had a heartbeat, it would pulse from the corner of Darling Street where The Sackville has poured pints, sparked conversations and set the tone for good times for generations. After a top-to-bottom renovation, the beloved local has reopened its doors, gleaming with fresh energy yet still as familiar as your favourite bar stool.
The new Sackville is part neighbourhood haunt, part all-day hangout. There’s a bright street bar where cocktails glint in the sun, a lively new Sports Bar for fans of footy and froth and an outdoor terrace that spills onto Darling Street, inviting you to linger over a Spritz or a schooner as the afternoon hums into night.
Inside, it’s all warm timber, natural light and that easy Rozelle charm. The new design manages to feel both polished and unpretentious – a proper local made for modern Sydney.
"The Sackville has always been a cornerstone of Rozelle,” says Solotel CEO Elliot Solomon. "We wanted to give it new life without losing its soul. Now, whether you’re here for a beer, a bite or a full-blown night out, it just feels right for how people want to live and socialise today.”
Live and socialise they will. The new menu makes it hard not to stay awhile - from share-friendly snacks that pair perfectly with a cold one to elevated classics that nod to pub nostalgia. There’s raw tuna brushed with citrus and chilli, creamy burrata with heirloom tomatoes and a crisp eggplant parma that’s quickly becoming a local legend.
Tuesday’s Pasta & Wine night ($30) is already shaping up as Rozelle’s midweek love affair and those who prefer their meals hearty can still tuck into steaks hot off the grill.
Behind the bar, there’s something for every mood. More than a dozen taps pour craft and classic brews, the cocktail list flirts between fun and refined – think a Blackberry Royale or a frozen Piña Colada that tastes like holiday mode in a glass.
Wine lovers will appreciate a list full of local drops with plenty of personality and for those who like a little indulgence, Happy Hour serves up $7 mini Martinis, $12 Margaritas and $3 oysters that make weekday afternoons dangerously appealing.
Out the back, the new Sports Bar hums with energy. With sprawling screens, TAB facilities and its own dedicated bar, it’s a place to cheer, banter and celebrate every try and tackle. As the spiritual home of Wests Tigers supporters, it’s set to be the kind of spot where strangers become mates by the end of the first half.
It wouldn’t be The Sackville without a bit of mischief in the mix. Weekends roll out like a ritual - Friday raffles and live acoustics set the pace, while bottomless lunches stretch into DJ sets that keep the crowd going late. Sundays bring $14 Bloody Marys, lazy acoustic tunes and that sweet spot between recovery and revelry.
With its fresh look, lively spirit and menu worth toasting to, The Sackville has reasserted itself as the social soul of Rozelle. It’s still the same local you know, just with a little more shine - the kind of place where afternoons easily turn into evenings and where good food, cold drinks and great company are always on tap.
