Speakeasy Group to open Mjolnir carvery in Redfern's old tobacco factory

A carvery in a tobacco factory sounds more mid 20th century than 21th century Sydney, but it's back to the future for quirky hospitality outfit The Speakeasy Group.

The operator of The Roosevelt at Potts Point and Eau de Vie, in Sydney and Melbourne, is opening a new venue at the onetime tobacco factory at 267 Cleveland Street, Redfern.

"What I like about carveries is they are everyday comfort food but also suit an occasion," says Speakeasy Group owner Sven Almenning.

Chef Adam Lord will oversee the food, which Almenning says "might offer a whole pig one day, lamb the next."

Opening late 2016, the carvery and whiskey bar will be named Mjolnir. "Mjolnir is the name of Thor's hammer. It relates to a separate weird and wonderful idea we have for the place, which we'll reveal late," he says.

Rather than specifically targeting Redfern, Almenning says he was drawn to the 127-year-old building.

Leasing agent Steffan Ippolito, from Oxford Agency, refused to comment on rumours a private club and another restaurant are also eyeing space in the redeveloped property.