Andrew Becher of Sydney’s Franca and Armorica has unveiled his latest venture Pelicano. But the concept is not a new one, with the restaurateur giving new life to venue which was originally located in Double Bay.
Pelicano 2.0 is being described as an all-in-one venue offering evening dinners, live music, and a late-night experience across a dining room, terrace, bar and a soon-to-open nightclub.
Taking hints of interior inspiration from its former Double Bay location, the Potts Point reincarnation of Pelicano makes artwork a focal point of the venue with elements of bold pop art to match the vibrant energy.
Becher says he is thrilled by the opportunity to reinvigorate Sydney’s night time economy, particularly at a time when the iconic Kings Cross area is undergoing a nightlife resurgence.
“This iconic venue has always been synonymous with creativity and vibrancy, and I am excited to see it once again become a hub of positive energy and connection,” he says.
The restaurateur hopes the new addition will not just add a point of difference to his portfolio, but to the broader hospitality landscape.
“We hope Pelicano’s return re-establishes the iconic venue as the all-in-one venue that Sydney is currently missing,” he says. “The space was designed to cater to a range of different social scenes; transitioning from after-work dinners to an energetic nightlife experience, ultimately speaking to the resurgence of Kings Cross itself.
Serving food from 5pm Wednesday to Sunday, Executive Chef Jose Saulog has curated a Mediterranean-inspired menu suited to a relaxed, contemporary dining experience with aperitivo-friendly dishes such as parmesan arancini and fritto misto.
Guests can also expect to find larger plates such as spaghetti vongole with clams and a Wagyu cut of the day. While food will be served up until 2am, the alfresco dining area will transition into a nightclub from 10pm when it opens in 2025.
“The nightclub will showcase amazing local and international talent, offering the same high-quality dining experience of the restaurant but with much more of a spirited and nightlife-focused energy,” says Becher.
“Ultimately, we wanted to create an environment that is both fun and energetic, while also being premium and luxurious. The nightclub will also feature its own private Champagne and martini bar.”
Speaking about the successful launch of the venue, Becher commented: “It was so great to see DJs perform and guests dancing alongside diners experiencing the incredible menu on offer at Pelicano. This really captured the essence of the festive restaurants of the Mediterranean cities and is something that we don’t see in Sydney.”
