As owner and CEO of Sydney-based hospitality group The Point, Brett Robinson oversaw the reimagining of the historic Shell House building, opposite Wynyard Station, into one of the city's hottest hospitality addresses, with four venues spread across three levels. “There's a great energy in the city coming into summer,” says Brett. “It's an electric time of year with everyone out and about.” Here the Sydney resident shares his tips for a memorable night out in the beating heart of the city.

Start your night city-style

Creating a welcoming space where city workers and visitors alike would naturally gravitate to begin a night out was key to the concept of the bronze-hued Menzies Bar & Bistro on the ground floor of Shell House, says Brett. “We wanted to create the sort of place where if you're meeting somebody, you automatically just think: 'I'll meet you at the Menzies and we'll go from there,'” he explains. “You could easily spend the whole night there, but you can also just drop in for a quick drink and a snack before moving on to dinner or a show.”

Another one of Brett's top venues for getting the night started in central Sydney is hole-in-the-wall margarita bar Cantina OK!, tucked down an unassuming laneway off Clarence Street. “I have a love for wandering laneways and finding those undiscovered gems,” says Brett. “Cantina OK! is such an interesting little space and the quality and personality of the bar is something that can set you up really well for a night out.”

Rolling solo? Brett suggests sliding onto a bar stool at European-style wine bar and restaurant Monopole on Curtin Place. “I know I'm in safe hands there with people who really know their wine and can talk me through a couple of interesting glasses,” says Brett.

Tuck into a memorable meal

When he's not moving on to the elegant Shell House Dining Room and Terrace for a Mediterranean-inspired meal heroing Australian produce, Brett has a number of other favourites in the city for a meal you'll want to tell your friends about. “I love Ragazzi in Angel Place, which is a small wine and pasta restaurant that's always buzzing,” he says. “They've got a short list of really great pastas that change very often, so every time you go there, there's always something different on the menu. And their sommelier really understands the world of natural wine.”

Brett also has a soft spot for steak restaurant and cocktail bar Bistecca, tucked away on Dalley Street. “You go down a laneway and though this little doorway that winds down into the basement of a building, so it's quite an immersive experience,” says Brett. “They focus on the Tuscan cut, which is the bistecca alla Fiorentina [T-bone steak], and they do it exceptionally well.” Brett adds that Bistecca's small private dining room, surrounded by the venue's wine cellar, is an ideal spot for an intimate dinner with a small group of friends, whereas for a date Brett recommends making a reservation at Restaurant Hubert, a slice of post-war Paris below Bligh Street.

“I love these immersive spaces that sweep you off into the world that they're in, and Hubert does that so well, with its winding stairs that lead down into this large space where you can settle into a small booth and take your time,” Brett explains. “There's often a live jazz band on the stage while you're dining, and the service is impeccable.”

Keep the party going

While the alfresco Sky Bar atop Shell House is a popular place to catch the golden hour as the sun sets behind the city, Brett says it's also a fun venue to kick on after dinner, as top local and international DJs hit the decks. “You feel like you're sitting on top of the city, with the breeze in your hair,” he says.

When it comes time for a nightcap, Brett can often be found at 1970s-themed Double Deuce Lounge on Bridge Street. “There's a drink on their menu that I've loved forever called the Discretionary,” he says. “I'm a sucker for a dark, rich cocktail late at night and it's one of my favourites, with Calle 23 Añejo tequila, cold brew, maple, bitters, whey and salt.”

Brett is also partial to a late-night snack at casual Middle Eastern diner Jimmy's Falafel on George Street. “It's always pretty fun and vibrant and they've usually got a DJ on if you want to stick around, or you can just grab takeaway and stretch your legs.”

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