The closure of Super Whatnot earlier this year came as a surprise to many. The three-tiered CBD bar heaved with the post-work and post-uni crowd like few others. While we all mourned the closure, owner Simon Martin had something else up his sleeve.

His new venue, Flying Colours, will open in the former Wandering Cooks space on Vulture Street in June. According to Martin, he predicts the new venue will be even better than Super Whatnot.

“There was a thought to [operate] both,” Martin tells Broadsheet. “But I thought, to do Flying Colours properly, it would be better to [focus on] one.”

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For Flying Colours, Martin has called in architects Marc & Co, who were also behind Super Whatnot’s fit-out. The front courtyard is being turned into a tree-filled beer garden, while inside, the main dining area will have booth seating and some impressive lighting installed. A mezzanine level will be used for functions, and a side bar will become a listening room for DJs to spin records.

Its speakers have been installed by Tasmania’s Pitt & Giblin, who are behind the sound systems at many of the country’s best listening bars. “A lot of the DJs that played at Super Whatnot will play here, as well as some local West End DJs,” Martin says.

Former Gerard’s Bistro executive chef, Adam Wolfers, is helping Martin in a consulting role. The duo are currently drafting a menu that sources from local farms and producers like Neighbourhood Farm, Little Acre Mushrooms and Saison Smallgoods. You might find dishes like smoked mussels with almond cream and rye toast; charred carrots with spiced yoghurt and amaranth leaf; and crumbed Bangalow pork cutlet with bone sauce and winter greens.

Super Whatnot was an early supporter of local craft beer, and there will be a few taps dedicated to it here. Martin says there will also be a focus on natural-leaning wines, with a couple on-tap. A short, seasonal cocktail list will round out the offering.

Flying Colours will open at 63 Vulture Street, West End in June.