Sydney’s Island Bar to relocate

After five years Sydney’s iconic pop-up bar, The Island Bar on Cockatoo Island, be relocating after it finishes up for 2016 on February 29.

It has been reported that the owners of the award-winning bar, Marco Faraone and Mike Edkins, have not renewed the lease with the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust. However, the new location of the bar – complete with trademark shipping containers, pizza ovens, astro turf, and European beach-style furniture – is yet to be released. According to the press release, the bar will be moved to “another equally iconic location in time for next summer”.

According to co-owner Edkins, it was time for an update to the well-known concept.

“When we opened The Island Bar, we were the first to bring the shipping container pop up concept to Sydney and make it a reality,” he says. “Now, after five years of establishing the bar as one of the must-go destinations in Sydney for great drinks, food and good times right on the harbour, it’s time for something new.”

Faraone says that there were additional difficulties reaching an agreement with the site’s management.

“While we are sad to leave our home on Cockatoo Island… we are pretty excited to reveal our next location, which will again provide Sydneysiders and visitors with a unique bar experience,” he says.

Since it opened for trade in 2010, the Island Bar on Cockatoo Island has seen 350,000 visitors pass through its doors, as well as setting records as the longest standing pop-up of its kind in Sydney.

The bar team is reportedly set to announce special events prior to their relocation in coming weeks.

The new location will be announced before next summer.