Odd Culture Group, the Sydney hospitality company that built its reputation on inclusive, community-minded venues in the city’s Inner West, is expanding into the Sydney CBD with two new openings on York Street.
The announcement confirms plans the group first hinted at in early 2025 and marks its most ambitious growth move since launching during the Covid lockdowns of late 2020.
The two venues are distinct in concept: an underground daiquiri bar and discotheque, and a neighbourhood osteria. Both will operate from the same York Street precinct in the heart of the city.
Leading the push is Rebecca Lines, recently appointed as Odd Culture Group’s CEO, working alongside co-founders and directors James Thorpe and Nick Zavadszky.
“Looking towards the Sydney CBD has been a natural progression for us,” Lines said. “We pride ourselves on utilising spaces that make you feel something special — and for us, the York St sites are full of that kind of charm.”
Designing for belonging from day one
Lines was candid about the strategic shift the CBD demands. In the Inner West, she said, venues grew organically out of an established community. The CBD offers no such foundation. “You don’t have that same organic neighbourhood base, so you have to design for belonging from day one. That means tighter operational design, deeper investment in training and leadership, and a much more deliberate focus on service, flow, and guest connection.”
She also acknowledged the market’s challenges head-on — transient foot traffic, rising costs, and a time-poor, choice-rich customer base. But she sees those same pressures as an opportunity. “You need to earn loyalty quickly. The CBD has huge energy, diversity, and frequency of trade if you get it right.”
Experience-led dining as the differentiator
The group is leaning into a broader industry shift toward experiential hospitality. According to the 2025 SevenRooms Hospitality Report, 82% of diners say they are more likely to book a venue offering an experiential element — a trend Lines says aligns closely with Odd Culture Group’s DNA.
“Entertainment has always been core to what we do. Our new venues will embody that through diverse and quirky offerings for guests looking for something fresh.”
The broader CBD market appears receptive. City of Sydney economic data from September 2025 showed consumer spend in the district up 7.2% year-on-year, with CBD dining described as “resilient across all age groups” in a May 2025 report.
Despite the new geography, Lines is clear that the group’s identity isn’t changing.
“Our neighbourhood charm has never just been about the postcode — it’s about how people are welcomed, remembered, and looked after. Our goal is for these venues to be a moment of respite from the corporate world, where people feel known and want to return.”
Further details on venue teams and concepts are expected in the coming weeks, with both spaces set to open in early 2026.
