Neil Perry announces Bobbie’s closure

Neil Perry has announced that he will close Bobbie’s, the cocktail bar run in collaboration with Linden Pride in Double Bay’s Gaden House.

Perry opened Bobbie’s and Song Bird in August last year, with Bobbie’s occupying the basement, and Song Bird in the floors above.

In response to a recent AFR article, Perry has reassured patrons that Song Bird will remain in operation.

“Song Bird is absolutely not closing,” Perry confirms. “The article referenced ongoing discussions with our landlords about strategically realigning operations within Gaden House, where we currently operate across four floors.”

Perry has confirmed that he will relinquish the top floor of Gaden House, which was originally intended as an event space and a la carte restaurant, to see it repurposed as private office space.

“Managing three levels as part of the restaurant proved more complex than we anticipated. Streamlining our footprint will greatly enhance our operations,” says Perry.

“With a more focused approach, a 140-seat venue – including some outdoor seating – and an exciting new menu featuring Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Vietnamese flavours, Song Bird will now be the ideal size to manage and a key part of the Margaret Family Precinct moving forward.”

The decision to close Bobbie’s, on the other hand, was one that Perry said he and Pride mutually agreed to.

 “Linden’s US-based hospitality group, Dante, is expanding rapidly, with multiple new venues planned across America in the next 18 months. Our landlords are in discussions with prospective operators interested in taking over the space,” says Perry.

“Running Bobbie’s has been a fantastic experience. While we’re disappointed to see it go, this move allows Linden to focus on Dante’s growth and gives me the opportunity to concentrate fully on Song Bird, Margaret, Next Door, and our bakery.”