Rack Off 2020

Is it a bar with cool on-sale clothing and handmade accessories, or a boutique with excellent drinks and food? Perhaps a bit of both.

This mash-up of concepts is the brainchild of Sydney retailer Sorry Thanks I Love You (STILY), P&V Wine Merchant's Mike Bennie, innovative Saint Peter's chef Josh Niland and Jez Gordon who worked at Tasmania's Dark Mofo and the Big Day Out.

The space will be transformed into a velvet-draped labyrinthine for three days, where punters can get a drink at the sommelier-manned pet-nat bar and then peruse the wares on sale (we're told at significantly reduced prices). There's also a 75-seat lounge created by Gordon if you want to settle in. It's probably a good spot to eat Niland's iconic sea-urchin crumpet, which will be available, along with other snacks, over the three days. There's also a take-away bottle shop if find something you fancy.

Current and previous season pieces will be available to buy from the likes of Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake, Veja, Rains, Rick Owens, Maison Margiela, Mykita, Hender Scheme and Sulvam, plus locals including Lucy Folk and Bassike. A portion of profits will be donated to STILY’s charity of choice: integrated cancer hospital Chris O’Brien Lifehouse.

If you want to try your luck for 10 per cent off, you can challenge the staff at the check out with a game of Paper, Scissors, Rock. Winners score the discount, while losers donate 10 per cent extra to Lifehouse.

If Rack Off is a success, they plan to bring it back, only "bigger, better and slightly more raucous with every year,” says Gordon.

It's open Friday to Sunday 10am–6pm.