After 24 years of defining one of Sydney’s most iconic waterfront venues, celebrated chef Matt Moran and hospitality powerhouse Solotel are handing over the keys to Opera Bar.
Over the two-plus decades, the duo transformed the Sydney Opera House site into a world-class dining and drinking destination—an essential stop for visitors and a rite of passage for locals.
Now, the baton passes to Applejack Hospitality, marking the start of an exciting new chapter. Known for their portfolio of lively and award-winning restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes, such as Forrester’s, The Butler, Bopp & Tone, RAFI, Taphouse, June’s Shoppe and more, it's safe to say, Opera Bar is in good hands.
Following a “highly competitive tender process”, which kicked off in September 2024, Applejack locked in an agreement on 12 August 2025 to run Opera Bar for the next ten years, as well as neighbouring all-hours hangout, House Canteen.
“We were delighted by the exceptional standard of the submissions received,” says Sydney Opera House Chief Customer Officer, Jade McKellar. “With Applejack detailing a compelling, vibrant vision for this community space that thousands of locals and visitors enjoy every year.”
The Opera House also expressed gratitude to Matt Moran, Solotel and General Manager John Gallas for their exceptional service over the 24-year tenure.
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered together over this long-standing partnership. We thank them for their significant contribution and acknowledge their lasting legacy.”
Applejack Co-Founders, Ben Carroll and Hamish Watts, are over the moon with the go-ahead to revitalise the venue, stating, “This is a dream come true for our entire team.”
The new contract ticks over from mid-September at Opera Bar and mid-November at House Canteen, with Solotel running the joints until then. Proposed concepts include showcasing Sydney’s dynamic multicultural food scene at Opera Bar and revamping House Canteen into a relaxed all-day cafe, with refurbishments starting in 2026.
For more information on the Opera Bar handover, head here.
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Image credits: Destination NSW, Opera Bar Instagram, Ken Leanfore, Applejack Hospitality