Sammy Junior opens in Art Deco Sydney building
Along York Street in Sydney, there is a great collection of Art Deco building facades that I always admire when in that part of the city.
An Art Deco skyscraper, the ACA building sits on the corner of King and York Streets. The divine pink building was completed in a record-breaking 36 weeks and was opened in 1935. The building owes its salmon-coloured hue to pink vibrostone, an innovative pre-cast concrete material.
At the base of the building now sits a new café, named Sammy Junior – an espresso and cocktail bar that is the new sister outlet of cocktail bar, Maybe Sammy.
I visited and reviewed Maybe Sammy when I was editor of Vacations & Travel magazine. I was so impressed with the venue, the quality of the drinks (the best espresso martini I’ve ever had), the interior design (hello, an L-shaped pink velvet banquette lounge and palm wallpaper!); the snazzy 1950s-style cocktail bar waiter’s outfits; and also the images and nods to its namesake, Sammy Davis Junior. You can read my review here.
I was excited then to hear that the talented team behind Maybe Sammy had now opened another outlook, Sammy Junior, in this PINK Art Deco gem, right in the heart of the Sydney CBD.
Visiting one morning, the bar is spacious and welcoming with just a few other diners, including a group of friends sampling one of Sammy Junior’s drinks.
In the morning, Sammy Junior serves a bespoke Sammy Junior Spiritual Coffee blend created by Spiritual Coffee founder and coffee connoisseur Martin Hudak. Also a co-owner, Hudak is a celebrated coffee and expert, having been named the 2017 World Coffee in Good Spirits Champion; and he is a Mr Black Ambassador.
Small-batch speciality teas are sourced from Ms. Cattea, chai from Bespoke Chai and hot chocolate courtesy of Callebaut. Breakfast foods include strawberry chia pudding ($12), toasted banana bread with ricotta, honey and cinnamon ($15) and a daily pastry selection from Sonoma Bakery. The lunch menu includes a Chicken P.L.A.T, Asian Chop Bowl and a Tomato & Basil Panini. Sydney Rock oysters are available from 3pm every Thursday and Friday for just $2, plus aperitivo plates of olives, salumi and cheese from 3pm daily.
Six cocktails are available at Sammy Junior all served exclusively as minis at 100mL for $13. Drinks include a Coffee Negroni, Martini Australiano, Cascara Fizz and TI Punch Spritz. The Espresso Martini is made as a frappé and the Irish Coffee is made to serve. A custom Sammy Junior craft beer from Nomad Brewing, Morning Draught is also available, along with half bottles of wine.
Sammy Junior is co-owned by Martin Hudak as well as Maybe Sammy owners, Vince Lombardo, Stefano Catino and Andrea Gualdi.
