Folly’s comes to Cammeray

11 October 2023

by Hannah Wilcox

A fresh and exciting new bar and bistro is coming to Cammeray, inspired by the laid back dining of the Euro-Med coast and run by some industry famous names. 

Located at 429 Miller St – the former home of The Public and Epoque Belgian Beer Cafe – Folly’s is the newest endeavour of Ex-Applejack Hospitality Group Bars Manager Lachy Sturrock and Sam Smith, licensee of Campberdown’s Alfred Hotel.

Together with ex-Fauna and Icebergs Michelin-trained chef Antonio “Ace” Espiritu in the kitchen, the trio look to revive the Cammeray site to its former glory after taking it over in May.

As former locals, Sturrock and Smith actually met more than a decade ago whilst working together at Albert’s Tavern and derived the name of the bar from nearby Folly Point. 

“We’re looking to bring back the cosiness and great energetic buzz that space used to have, and recreate that neighbourhood feel where locals happily come in a few times a week, always finding something new to try and experience,” Sturrock said on Wednesday.

The venue will sport a relaxed bar-service drinks in the front and a bistro with table service and a private 30-seater dining room in the back.

In theme with its Euro-Med menu offerings, Folly’s will be decked out with a custom-built terrazzo bar, leather banquette seating, cork cladding, vintage rugs and lamps alongside the original timber flooring and chequered tiles of prior business Epoque. 

A warm palette of mustard, maroon and grape, tied in with quirky artworks and wine bottles adorning the walls, designed by Kathryn Thompson of Five Foot One Design (Fish Face, Botanic House Dining, Sydney Opera House) will breathe new life into the space.

The menu will be led by Espiritu following his successes as head chef in Surry Hill’s Fauna and Amare and Icebergs Dining Room & Bar. 

The chef was apprenticed at France’s three Michelin-starred L’Oustau de Baumaniere.

For a drink, local brews will be available on tap from the likes of Freshwater Brewing Company, Philter and Capital Brewing Co alongside a ‘short and sharp’ cocktail list; changing throughout the year to include seasonal fruit and other produce.

Meanwhile, the wine list will include between 80 and 100 bottles by mostly Australian labels, as well as old world producers from France and Italy.

Folly’s is set to open in November and will be operating from 3pm until late Tuesday to Thursday, and from 12pm until late Friday to Sunday.