The Flynn on Bligh Street reopened on 16 March following a $2 million renovation that replaces bar queues with full table service across 200 seats.
East Coast Collective’s upgrade brings chef Justin North’s Mediterranean and Asian-influenced menu to the CBD pub, featuring dishes like spanner crab mafaldine and Mooloolaba king prawn rolls in brioche alongside traditional pub fare.
The renovation by EJE Architects creates what co-owner Joshua Green calls “a level of quality you don’t always expect, but with the same relaxed vibe and great value.” Happy hour runs 5pm to 8pm nightly with $12 spritz cocktails.
Green said the group wanted to “elevate the experience without losing what people love about a great pub.” The venue operates with waitstaff taking orders at tables rather than the traditional bar service model.
North, known for his work at Bécasse, designed a menu that food blogger Lorraine Elliott noted includes options “you would find in a restaurant than a pub” while maintaining the table service format. The kitchen produces lamb cutlets that one reviewer called “probably the tastiest I’ve eaten EVER.”
The Flynn has operated on Bligh Street since 2012, located next to the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel. East Coast Collective’s portfolio includes The Del Hotel, The Maryland Tavern, The Grove Hotel and Westmead Tavern.
TripAdvisor reviewers praised the $5 beers during happy hour and described the atmosphere as feeling “like being in a pub in the country.” One reviewer called it “one of Sydney’s best kept secrets for a meal and a solid contender for best pub grub in Sydney.”
The 200-seat venue gets busy during Friday after-work sessions, with weekend bottomless brunch sessions launched in late March drawing crowds to what was previously a traditional sports bar format.
Quick Facts
East Coast Collective
Hospitality group operating venues across Australia’s eastern states, including The Del Hotel, The Maryland Tavern, The Grove Hotel and Westmead Tavern. The company focuses on community-driven venues and has invested significantly in upgrading CBD establishments.
EJE Architects
Sydney-based architectural firm responsible for The Flynn’s $2 million renovation design. The firm specialised in creating lighter, more contemporary hospitality spaces while maintaining the energy and character of traditional venues.