Dr. Goodes

Oxford Street’s next chapter is taking shape amongst velvet booths and disco lights, with Dr. Goodes officially opening inside the former El Primo Sanchez site in Paddington. Part pizzeria, part cocktail bar, part late-night “boogie lounge”, the venue comes from a crew of Sydney hospitality veterans who seem far more interested in good energy than overcomplicating things.

“The idea was to build something that is fun and straightforward,” Brandon Martignago (Head of Beverage) tells Urban List.

“Disco is joy and that, I think, is what people need now.”

And while plenty of Sydney venues are currently chasing exclusivity and hard-to-get reservations, Dr. Goodes is heading firmly in the opposite direction. The space is designed to feel casual and lived-in—a little clubhouse-esque—with velvet, timber, steel and leather scattered throughout the interiors. Early evening is pizza-and-margs energy, before the lights dim and the venue pivots into a dancefloor-led late-night hang.

“Goodes isn't about being cool or spending too much cash, it’s about having an easy place to go to vibe with friends, drink margaritas and dance,” says Brandon.

“It's not a nightclub, it's not a cocktail bar and it's not a restaurant—it's a boogie lounge.”

Music sits at the centre of the venue’s identity, with internationally touring DJ Richy Penny curating the programming alongside Martignago. Expect groove-led sets earlier in the night before things gradually escalate into higher-energy disco, house and dance selections later on, with local and guest DJs rotating through weekly.

“I think the fact that we have Richy Penny curating the DJs and music program is pretty special,” Brandon says.

“The man is an international act that has so much incredible music knowledge and when he’s not in our little boogie bar in Paddo, he’s in Ibiza for a residency.”

On the food front, the menu leans heavily into New York- and Roman-style pizzas built for sharing, snacking and, importantly, eating with one hand on the dancefloor. The bases use their “John Snow Dough”, resulting in a crisp, foldable slice somewhere between NYC and classic Roman pizza.

The standout? According to Brandon, it’s the Saganaki Prawn Pizza—a combination of prawns, saganaki-style cheese and rich tomato.

Alongside the pizzas, expect tap cocktails, spicy margs, espresso martinis, spritzes and approachable wines designed to keep things moving quickly—something Brandon says is increasingly important in Sydney nightlife right now.

“People are wanting more time with friends and less time waiting for their drinks,” he says.

“We’re keeping everything simple and streamlined.”

Dr. Goodes is now open on Oxford Street in Paddington, joining the growing wave of venues helping push the strip back into its late-night era. 

Image credit: Dr. Goodes | Supplied