The Maybe Group and renowned bartender Matt Whiley have teamed up to open a bar in Sydney’s CBD – and it’s the exact opposite of everything they’ve ever done.
Little Cooler has taken its cues from American dive bars — think 80s and 90s influences spanning the music genres of post-punk, hip-hop, and rock.
“We’re capturing that raw, rebellious spirit you’d find in legendary venues like CBGB, where the post-punk movement started — it’s the energy, the vibe,” says Co-Founder Stefano Catino.
“We’re mixing rock and old-school hip-hop, creating a space where it feels
like you can leave everything at the door, enjoy great tunes, and let loose with some incredible drinks.”
The 60-pax space is located on Clarence Street and has been fitted out with reclaimed materials, which is a nod to Whiley’s focus on sustainability. “Everything carries the soul of projects past to create a space that feels alive with the experiences of places that have come before it,” commented Steel & Stitch representatives.
The two bar forces have worked together on the drinks list, which is described as “an exciting clash of worlds where dive bar grit meets carefully curated cocktails”.
Launch drinks include the Naked & Almost Famous made with mezcal, lime, and rhubarb wine; the Screaming Orgasm, a milk punch with coffee, vanilla, whisky, and almonds; a Breakfast Martini of gin, orange wine triple sec, whipped avocado oil, and lemon; and the Sex on the Beach, which combines salted peach liqueur, orange wine, tepache, vodka, and dark berry liqueur.
“We wanted to take classic cocktails and reimagine them through a lens of humor and fun, as though we were making them for the first time,” says Whiley.
Little Cooler will open from 28 November and operate Wednesday to Saturday from 5pm until 2am.
“It’s not about the perfect location,” adds Maybe Sammy Co-Founder Vincenzo Lombardo. “We’re creating a destination where people will come for the atmosphere, the music, and the drinks. We’re excited to see how the city embraces it.”
