Save the Bays!

Whispers that the Bayswater Brasserie, a Sydney institution and one of the greatest places in the world to drink, is about to close are unfounded, according to the bar's general manager.

The 'Bays', named Best Cocktail Bar in the Time Out Sydney's 2008 Bar Awards and fourth best bar in the world in 2007 by Bartender magazine, has a well-deserved international reputation for its cocktails and has produced some of the world's best bartenders. So when stories started circulating that the bar was in trouble, bartenders from Sydney and around the world began banding together to take action. "Unfortunately it got out and it got out in a big way," said Rebecca Whalley, who has managed the bar for the last four years. "Rumours like this are incredibly detrimental to your business"

Whalley was keen to play down suggestions that the Bayswater Brasserie is in danger of going out of business when Time Out called to find out what is going on. However, she did say that it may change management and/or direction. Owner Nigel Lacy will either sell the entire place, or get rid of the restaurant, turning the space into one big bar. The deal will go ahead one way or another this month.

"We've had an offer but it's far from confirmed," Whalley told Time Out. "We'll know by the end of the week. Either way, it's going to continue the same way. If Nigel's here or if he's not, I'll still run it the way I have for the past four years. Even with the new owners, it's not going to change. We've got a few ideas for the restaurant, the bar will stay exactly the same. We've had an offer and that's it. Nothing more than that."

While several swanky new bars have sprung up in Kings Cross in the last few months such as Goldfish, Sugarmill and Elk, concerned locals are mindful that Barons, another old favourite, was sadly allowed to close in 2007 – and they are keen to avoid seeing anything happen to the Bayswater Brasserie. Watch this space for more news. But in the meantime, get down there and drink in support. 

Bayswater Brasserie review

Time Out Sydney Bar Awards 2009

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