Ex-Applejack bars manager to open Folly’s
A new neighbourhood bar and bistro headed by two hospitality young guns and a Michelin-trained chef is coming next month to the burgeoning North Shore dining scene.
Ex-Applejack Hospitality (RAFI, Bopp & Tone) Group Bars Manager Lachy Sturrock has teamed up with longtime mate and licensee of Campberdown’s Alfred Hotel, Sam Smith, to open Folly’s in Cammeray, with Antonio “Ace” Espiritu (ex-Fauna, Icebergs) in the kitchen.
The venue, located in the former home of The Public and renowned Epoque Belgian Beer Cafe, is set to open in November after a major renovation to return the site to its former glory as the go-to local on the North Shore.
Sturrock and Smith have fond memories of the establishment in its heyday, having both frequented the Miller Street address after they met more than a decade ago working at Alberts Tavern in North Sydney.
“We’re looking to bring back the cosiness and great energetic buzz that space used to have, and recreate that neighbourhood feel where locals happily come in a few times a week, always finding something new to try and experience,” Sturrock says.
Named in honour of nearby Folly Point, Folly’s will balance relaxed bar-service drinks in the front, with a more elevated bistro experience with table service tucked in towards the back, along with a private dining room for 30 people.
An all-day, Euro-Med-inspired menu will be available throughout the venue, led by Espiritu. He has joined the team following the successful opening of Fauna in Surry Hills as head chef, before which he was at Amare and Icebergs Dining Room & Bar, and apprenticed at France’s three Michelin-starred L'Oustau de Baumaniere.
In a nod to the site’s long beer history, Folly’s will feature local brews on tap from the likes of Freshwater Brewing Company, Philter and Capital Brewing Co.
Sturrock says the cocktail list will be short and sharp, changing throughout the year to include seasonal fruit and other produce, while the wine list will include between 80 and 100 bottles by mostly Australian labels, as well as old world producers from France and Italy.
Behind the interiors is Kathryn Thompson of Five Foot One Design (Fish Face, Botanic House Dining, Sydney Opera House), who is bringing an old-meets-new feel to the space.
The original timber flooring and chequered tiles of Epoque will be paired with a custom-built terrazzo bar, leather banquette seating, cork cladding, vintage rugs and lamps, while warm tones of mustard, maroon and grape, quirky artworks and wine bottles will adorn the walls.
Sturrock and Smith took over the space - which was operating as The Public until 1 October - in May, with business partners and stalwart Sydney publicans, Bill Smith and Lee Dillon.
Folly’s will be open from 3pm until late Tuesday to Thursday, and from 12pm until late Friday to Sunday.
Folly’s
A place to enjoy all day and all eve, Folly’s is a cosy new neighbourhood local bar and bistro in Cammeray on Sydney’s North Shore. Offering a relaxed bar experience in front and wine bar bistro vibes at the back, it has an all-day Euro-Med-inspired menu from three-Michelin star-trained head chef Antonio “Ace” Espiritu and an extensive list of interesting wines, snappable cocktails and beers on tap.
429 Miller Street, Cammeray NSW 2062
