Bea, the upmarket restaurant in the multi-level Barangaroo House, will close on August 14.
But in good news for Barangaroo regulars, a succession plan for the space is already in place. Co-owner Matt Moran has revealed that Bea’s replacement, Rekodo Restaurant + Vinyl Bar (inspired by Japanese vinyl-spinning “listening rooms”) will open mid-September.
Bea opened in late 2017 with a big-name chef (Cory Campbell, ex-Vue de Monde and Noma) in charge of the kitchen. Tweaks and chef changes followed before the decision was made to rebrand the space.
Bea at Barangaroo House will make way for a Japanese-inspired restaurant-bar. Photo: Wolter Peeters
Moran says after nearly five years operating the sprawling Barangaroo House, they have a good read of the area and believe Rekodo fills a need.
“The crowd down here has changed, even since we opened,” he says. “Rekodo will be fun, with large tables but still serious about its food.”
He adds the menu will offer more dishes than Bea, giving customers greater flexibility about how much they eat and spend.
While the refit will include a Klipsch La Scala sound system, much of the reinvigoration will be driven by chef Paddy McDermott, who worked out of Hong Kong and whom Moran credits with having an enviable knowledge of Japanese food.
While listening rooms are typically bars in Japan, Moran says Rekodo will be more of a “restaurant-bar” – one that includes its own DJ.
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