Double Bay celebrity bar Pelicano to close

The Double Bay restaurant and bar bankrolled by an A-list of owners including Tim Holmes a Court, musician Daimon Downey from Sneaky Sound System, businessman Matthew Csidei and hotelier Andrew Becher will serve its last drinks next month.

Pelicano has had a demolition clause hanging over it, co-owner Becher explains.

"We would have liked to stay," says Becher, who expanded his restaurant interests earlier this year with the opening of the luxe Franca Brasserie at Potts Point.

The redevelopment of Pelicano's Double Bay home has courted controversy given its credentials as a building from mid-century Sydney architect Neville Gruzman.

While the upcoming works are believed to be internal, Pelicano has to go.

With its posse of owners, Pelicano's 2012 opening was anything but low-key. Becher, who worked for American hotelier Ian Schrager, brought some flash and fun to the room with hints of pop art and a giant copper bar.

Its owners have been busy with other projects, with Csidei moving to Europe to oversee the construction of James Packer's super yacht. But Becher says all partners remain involved.

"The last night for the public is December 21; there'll be a final private party on the 28th," he says.