A luxury hotel in the heart of Penrith is getting a new bar and café, set to give a boost to the night life experience of the area.
The Astina Hotel on Woodriff Street lodged plans with Penrith City Council to fit out their empty ground floor space into a café and bar in July of 2023, and those plans have just been given the green light to go ahead.
The approved $198,000 Astina Lobby Café and Bar will have a liquor licence, space for over 100 patrons and both indoor and outdoor seating.
“This application seeks… the fit out and use of the vacant tenancy as a general bar venue with a maximum capacity of 150 people,” the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE) attached to the Development Application (DA) said.
“The development is proposed to provide a contemporary night-time venue within the Penrith CBD, complementing the existing Astina offering on the site.”
Astina already boasts a contemporary rooftop cocktail bar, Theos, open from Wednesday to Sunday while the newly approved Astina Lobby Bar will operate Sunday to Wednesday from 6.30am to midnight and Thursday to Saturdays from 6.30am until 2am.
The SEE predicts there will be no negative social or economic impacts from the new development, instead saying it will bolster Penrith City Council’s vision for a vibrant nighttime economy within Penrith.
“The proposed development would create additional employment opportunities which is a positive outcome,” the SEE said.
“It also contributes to Council’s vision for a night-time economy within the Penrith CBD, which provides additional destination opportunities for the community and visitors to the City.”
There are no predicted parking issues given the proximity of the Judges Place Car Park and street parking to Astina.
“The proposed use is not likely to adversely impact upon traffic and parking within the local road network given that it is anticipated that patronage would be higher in the evenings where the demand for car parking in the wider area would be less,” the SEE said.
Emily Chate
Emily Chate joined The Western Weekender in 2024, and covers local news - primarily courts and politics. A graduate of the University of Wollongong, Emily has contributed to The Daily Telegraph and worked as a freelance journalist.