Images: Jack Fenby
Sofia Bistro seemed bound for success when it first opened. It was positioned as a Mediterranean sibling to Part Time Lover, with the same crew behind the venture which opened in 2024.
It’s due to this success that a new venue is being born on Hutt Street, and if Sofia first arrived as the Mediterranean sibling to Part Time Lover, then Bar Sofia feels like its moodier younger sister.
Sofia Bar is catering for the large groups, the intimate celebrations and the dinner parties that can sometimes take over the restaurant space.
Owner and hospitality pro, Josh Baker said when the opportunity came up to take over the 75-square-metre office block next door, it was a no-brainer.
“The idea behind it is to really be anything for anyone,” Josh said.
“As opposed to just being a private dining room that sits dormant when there’s no event or no booking, we’ve got an opportunity to build a whole new venue.
“It’s sort of like a try-your-luck moment.
“If we don’t have an event in here, then we’re going to be open as a bar, a really cool Mediterranean snack bar.”
Malleable was the word of the day when Glam went to visit, thanks to Josh who wants the venue to be what the people ask it to.
“Adelaide is going to talk to us and tell us what they want,” he said. “We’ve got a vision for the place, but whether that works or not, we’ll see.”
The vision for the 40-seat bar room moves between cocktails and mezze for walk-ins, and a bar-for-hire experience where guests can help curate the wine, set the soundtrack and work with the chefs on a high-end dining experience that could even begin with choosing the tuna for sashimi later that night.
“We want to try and take private dining to another level,” Josh said.
“We’ve got a lot of frequent flyers in here, and those frequent flyers love to fly business, so if we can put on a business-class event for them, then we’re willing to do it.”
That could mean sitting down with the executive chef to curate the menu, heading to International Oyster at 5am to choose the exact fish that will be served, or meeting winemakers in the Barossa to select the wines for the table.
Behind Bar Sofia is the wider Sofia team, with Josh Baker describing the new space as a chance for the group’s hospitality talent to “really flex.”
That will be particularly true for Jade, who leads the events and private functions side of the business. Working closely with Sofia’s core team, including executive chef Stewart Wesson, general manager Luke Turton, venue manager Hannah Koch and Tom Robinson, a hatted chef from Sydney who has joined the group as executive chef.
Josh says the team will shape everything from bespoke private dining experiences to the bar’s more experimental snack offering, giving each person room to push the boundaries of what Bar Sofia can become.
“We are completely and utterly, madly obsessed with hospitality and we want to make sure people are getting the best experience possible.”
The new space features a long bar anchored to one side of the room, with tables running opposite, using the venue’s long, narrow space to create a tucked-away bar vibe. It’s warm thanks to the low lighting and cork flooring which is mirrored on the ceiling. The bar is smooth with three types of steel, yes three, galvanised, aluminium and stainless steel which meet a rounded timber edge, that was calls for the gentle caress of hands.
Sound has also been a major part of the fit-out, with a “wicked sound system” installed and the kitchen pass designed to double as a DJ booth once the snacks winds down.
You can see traits from Sofia but with a slightly different atmosphere about it, one that’s a little moodier and gives way to be what it wants when Adelaide finally gets their hands on it.
Sofia Bistro will be active on socials, telling the public if they’re open as bar or closed for a private event.
Whether or not you get lucky depends, but for its official opening this Friday, it’ll be first in, best dressed for the weekend.
Bar Sofia
When: Opens Friday, May 15
Where: 16 Hutt Street, Adelaide
For updates, click here.
