The Governor will bring its bistro and rooftop bar to Macquarie Park in July.

The dark and dingy pub of yesteryear is on its way out and in its place is a sleek, multi-purpose space that is as dedicated to drinks as it is fare. Merivale has mastered this approach to traditional public houses, so too has Solotel Group with Little Big House and co. Now is Momento Group’s turn, with the hospitality firm introducing The Governor to Sydney’s North-West. Set to open its doors in Macquarie Park this July, the pub is a sleekly designed venue that incorporates a bistro, a garden terrace, and a rooftop bar among its offerings.

Designed by Edith Clark, the interiors are a luxurious affair. The venue is heavily accented in lush greenery, royal green tiles, plush stools and dark timbers. A long bar takes pride of place, accompanied by six booths adorned with gold. The bistro itself seats 160, and comes equipped with an open fireplace (for chilly evenings) and a portrait of its namesake Governor Macquarie, drawn by waitress Olivia Anderson. For those with a penchant for outdoors, there is also seating available on the accompanying garden terrace; a modern (and rather refined) take on the traditional beer garden.

Taking care of the cuisine is head chef Luke Lashford. Each different section of the pub caters offers a different menu to guests; there’s light bites for the terrace, wood-fired pizza at the bar, and heartier fare like slow-cooked Flinders Island lamb shoulder for two available in the bistro. Lashford, who previously worked at Sheraton on the Park and The Australian Hotel and Brewery, believes variety is key when it comes to modern pub grub. “[It’s] the key to creating a pub where you’ll want to return time and time again,” he says. “And it’s exactly what The Governor is all about. It’s somewhere you can settle in no matter what the hour and be well fed and watered no matter where you decide to perch”.

Accompanying Lashford’s grub is a drinks list designed by bar manager Andrew Ratcliff, formerly of Baxter Inn and Eau de Vie. There’s both the classic and seasonal of drink interwoven on the menu, with the venue’s signature (titled The Governor, of course) a creative take on a classic whisky.

The rooftop bar has been dubbed Ess, and comes complete with bar, kitchen, and 360-degree views of the surrounding district. Designed around after-work drinks and the increasingly popular Sunday session, the bar’s focus is on light bites to accompany the extensive drinks on offer.

The Governor comes courtesy of Momento Hospitality, the Hills district-based group also behind The Australian Hotel & Brewery, Bella Vista Hotel, Hillside Hotel, and the Hospitality Institute of NSW. Co-owner and operator Leon Colosimo sought to create a hub for the local community with his latest venture. “On the wall there’s a quote that says, ‘there are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet,’” says Colosimo, “at The Governor it’s true. We are extremely proud of this community hub in Macquarie Park and we can’t wait to welcome you.”

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