Negroni specialists expand with upscale Sydney CBD venue

The 130-seat venue marks a substantial operational expansion for owners Raffaelle Lombardi and Victoria Hampshire, who have partnered with head chef Steven De Vecchi to develop a comprehensive dining program alongside their established beverage offering. Chef Giacomo Rilievo, formerly of Lumi Dining, will join De Vecchi to lead the back-of-house team.

"The venue's popularity has completely blown us away, so the time felt right for a larger, grown-up offering," Lombardi said. The build began in late 2024, with Hampshire, who runs Victoria Hampshire Design, overseeing the interior development.

The new operation maintains the signature 40-plus Negroni menu that established the original venue's reputation but introduces a substantial food program designed to position Conte Sydney as a destination restaurant. The kitchen will operate late into the evening, targeting the post-dinner drinks market that remains underserved in Sydney's CBD.

“I have dreamt of this concept for the past 10 years," Lombardi said.

"The Negroni is, of course, my drink of choice and has been since I was a young man growing up in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. It’s the ultimate pre-dinner drink and pastime."

The venue features multiple distinct zones to maximise covers while maintaining ambience with restaurant dining, banquette seating, bar pods, mezzanine cocktail lounge seating and private dining spaces.

The nine-metre-high ceiling and floor-to-ceiling glass create a backdrop for the central bar—strategically positioned in front of the staircase. Hampshire has incorporated Italian design elements throughout, including Fornasetti wallpapers from Milan, Italian leather seating and vintage advertising sourced directly from Italian suppliers.

De Vecchi's a la carte menu represents a step up from the bar snacks that made the original venue popular. The beverage programme goes beyond Negronis to include what the owners claim is Sydney's largest collection of Italian vermouth, amari and Italian gin.

The venue will introduce both Negroni and martini food pairing experiences and has secured exclusive import arrangements for premium Italian products including Vulcanica Vodka from Sicily and Marisa Cuomo Costa D'Amalfi wines. Wine list curation has been led by sommelier Marta Carruccio, formerly of Bistro REX, with a focus on Italian varietals.

Conte Sydney is accepting function bookings through the original Bar Conte location and will operate evening service seven days.