Hidden bars are scattered in cities such as Sydney and Melbourne and now Penrith’s latest mysterious offering has been unveiled on High Street.
The team from dumpling and cocktail bar Duck Duck Goose, along with UFC fighter Tai Tuivasa, is behind The Flower Shop, a new blooming business which hosted a VIP night last Thursday and officially opened on Friday.
With a florist store front operating during the day, Business Partner Jake Farragher said it is after dark when things get interesting.
“We have a florist out of Camden called Clementine Posy that is actually opening at The Orchard next year that is doing pre-arranged bouquets for people to pick up Wednesday to Sunday during the day,” Mr Farragher said.
“Then from 6pm Thursday to Sunday people can go through a secret door behind the shop and into a tunnel that takes them into the hidden restaurant and bar.”
Located adjacent to Duck Duck Goose on High Street, the new venue is part of a greater vision to elevate Penrith’s night life.
“We just had the idea that Penrith needed a speakeasy style place, and the owners of the building actually approached us to see if we were interested in the site,” he said.
“We want to give the people of Penrith what they deserve and there are great places in the city, so we hope to create a similar scene out here compared to just big clubs.”
Using a luxurious floral theme for the interior, the menu is inspired by food and drink from cities and villages in France and Italy.
“We wanted to provide a more high-end experience, so we have sophisticated drinks and menu items like lobster rolls and beef tartare which is quite different to what’s out there in Penrith,” he said.
“We have used architect Matt Woods and have big three-metre-high cherry blossom trees because we want people to be wowed when they walk in.”
Wanting people to experience the atmosphere first hand with some secrets up his sleeve, Mr Farragher invites everyone to see what is behind The Flower Shop this summer.
“People can come in for dinner, have a few cocktails and we have a stage so will have live music to enjoy. We are open to midnight and if people want to continue their night, they can head over to Duck Duck which is open until 2am,” he said.
To book a table, visit http://www.theflowershoppenrith.com.au.
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.