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Matt Moran to reopen Opera Bar in September

Scott Bolles
Scott Bolles

Opera Bar co-owner Matt Moran has noticed more pedestrian traffic around the Opera House.
Opera Bar co-owner Matt Moran has noticed more pedestrian traffic around the Opera House.iStock

Long considered a barometer for Sydney hospitality, Opera Bar will test the state of CBD venues when it reopens on September 8.

Opera Bar co-owner Matt Moran admits there are hurdles. The overseas tourists and Opera House customers who normally jostle for a table on the edge of the harbour have disappeared.

With the COVID-19 crisis forecast to hit Sydney's CBD with a $10 billion blow as workers continue to stay home, Moran remains positive, with the group's mega Barangaroo House venue also opening on Tuesday, September 1.

"We have a bird's-eye view [of Opera Bar] from Aria. There are more people walking past, and more people asking when we are reopening," he says.

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Moran is also pivoting the offering, hopeful both Sydneysiders and domestic tourists will support the relaunch. There is greater emphasis on Australian spirits and produce, with the chef wanting to lend a hand to hard-hit local businesses. He'll also open a pop-up raw bar.

Opera Bar has some competitive advantages for social distancing; with its massive outdoor area, Moran says numbers will be capped at 300, small change for a venue that is used to serving as many as 1500 people on a busy day.

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Scott BollesScott Bolles writes the weekly Short Black column in Good Food.

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