The Island Bar on Cockatoo Island set for Friday 30 September

AUSTRALIA SYDNEY THE HARBOUR’S FAVOURITE SUMMER BAR IS BACK (and better!)

Sydney’s unique harbour-side bar is back for summer, with the highly anticipated re-opening of The Island Bar on Cockatoo Island set for Friday 30 September 2011.

Sydney-siders and visitors will be able to enjoy Harbour Bridge views from iconic Cockatoo Island, just a 12 minute ferry-ride from the city, in the comfort of an exclusive custom-designed bar space with great drinks and food, all the way through summer until mid-April.

Only this time, The Island Bar is even better!

The world-class cocktail list that fuelled last summer’s fun has been tweaked and added to, with cocktails served either by the glass or in jugs perfect for sharing on a hot summer afternoon.

A larger focus on food will see The Island Bar and its charismatic proprietor Marco Faraone and his crew serving up delicious Italian-style pizzas from a traditional Italian wood fire oven in the new custom converted “container kitchen”. Perfect for lunch, dinner or an afternoon snack, the pizzas will feature alongside the Island Bar’s popular Italian aperitivo style ‘spuntini’ menu including bruschetta and salads.

Extended under cover tables and seating will shelter diners from the sun or rain, and the trademark beach umbrellas and deck chairs the bar became known for will still embellish the green lawn at the harbour’s edge.

A sexy refurbished upstairs lounge bar called ‘The Tropics Lounge’ will be available for private hire, with soft furnishings, plenty of seating, and perfect for getting away from the crowds.

Every Sunday, a guest DJ playing chilled out afternoon sets as the sun goes down will create the perfect vibe in Sydney’s favourite summer spot.

Finally, as part of an exciting new events calendar, The Island Bar will play host to some special rugby action during October – stay tuned for more!

About The Island Bar on Cockatoo Island

Conceptualised by renowned Sydney mixologist the charismatic Marco Faraone, of Bacco in Chifley Plaza and formerly Lotus in Potts Point, The Island Bar opened in 2010 to rave reviews and quickly became one of Sydney’s summer hot spots.

The bar is constructed from recycled shipping containers, giving it a funky industrial look and in keeping with the history of Cockatoo Island as a shipbuilding yard and Commonwealth naval base. It has extensive covered areas, is two levels and has deck chairs for relaxing in the sun, drinking and enjoying the views and ambience, as well as an upstairs area perfect for functions.

The Island Bar will serve signature cocktails and drinks that are perfect over an Italian style lunch, dinner or evening snack, watching the sun go down over Sydney Harbour.

Opening Hours: Open 12:30pm – 8:30pm

October – open Friday to Sunday
November – open Wednesday to Sunday
December and January – open seven days
February and March – open Wednesday to Sunday
April – open Friday – Sunday

Additional trading days for Easter Long Weekend – Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th and Monday 9th
Also Open Anzac Day – Wednesday 25th

The Island Bar will also be open across all long weekends, including public holiday Monday

Entry is free; large range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food available for purchase.

Cockatoo Island is just a 12-minute ferry trip from Circular Quay. Services run 7-days a week. To plan your trip contact Transport Info on 131 500 or visit 131500.com.au Water taxis available by request. Marina for private boats to dock for two hours at Cockatoo Island

For more information visit www.theislandbar.com.au

About Cockatoo Island

Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour is open to the public daily, offering major events, exhibitions, venue hire, accommodation, tours and business tenancy. It is one of the magnificent sites managed by the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, a self funding agency created by the Australian Government to protect and improve public access to former defence and Commonwealth sites around Sydney Harbour. Other public spaces and parklands include: Snapper Island in Sydney Harbour, Woolwich Dock and Parklands, HMAS Platypus in Neutral Bay, Headland Park and Chowder Bay in Mosman, North Head Sanctuary in Manly, Marine Biological Station in Watsons Bay and Macquarie Lightstation in Vaucluse. www.cockatooisland.gov.au