The Norfolk in Redfern has lived many lives.

It might be the biggest pub cliche of all time. But in this pub’s case, the cliche rings true.

The Norfolk is one of Cleveland Street’s most enduring landmarks, serving punters in various guises since 1921. But in the last decade, the corner pub has been under the stewardship of three now-defunct hospitality groups.

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First came Drink n Dine’s House of Crabs era, followed by a stint as The Norfolk House & Hotel courtesy of The People. But The People disappeared faster than Public Hospitality’s Jon Adgemis’s Range Rover when administrators took control of five of the embattled mogul’s pubs last year, The Norfolk among them. Solotel jumped on it (along with three others), and today unveils plans to return the pub to its former glory.

“I remember coming here 10 years ago for a friend’s birthday,” the Norfolk’s general manager Marcella Guilfoyle tells Broadsheet. She’s excited to see trivia, spin the wheel and the badge draw return. “It’s just one of those places everyone knows. I’ve seen it go through all the phases and I honestly feel like this is the best one yet. We’re getting back to the classic pub side of things and leaning into that nostalgia.”

The old La Salut space up front – that was previously the old sports bar – is being refurbed in line with the pub’s art deco heritage. Ricos Tacos will continue as normal out the back, but al pastor king Toby Wilson will now oversee the entire venue as executive chef. Good Ways Deli, Ciccone & Sons and Yulli’s Brews will feature on the new pub grub offering, which will be spinning everywhere except the Ricos courtyard and Club Ricos upstairs.

“They’re such pillars of the community, and were the ones who spearheaded the change in the area. To get Redfern up and moving as one was such a great opportunity.”

Good Ways is pitching in a daily focaccia (paired with French onion dip) and the team co-produced dessert with Ciccone & Sons: a lamington ice-cream sandwich. On the drinks front, Yulli’s has made a house dark lager they’re calling “the spirit of Redfern in a schooner”.

Wilson, who’s recently become an epicurean historian of revolting recipes, is also really good at doing pub menus. Remember when he brought potato wedges with labneh and fermented chilli to The Woolpack a few years ago? He’s doing clever nostalgia here, too.

Whip out the tape measure for sausage rolls sold by the inch. Or leave it at home and go for the beef and VB party pies. Crumbed fish sangas feature alongside plates of pastrami-cured ocean trout with rye, then rissole burgers like your mum used to make and roast chook rolls (with a side of gravy) will round out the two-handed options.

The Norfolk is the first of its acquired Public venues that Solotel is adding to, with it also currently operating Oxford House, The Strand and Camelia Grove.

To celebrate the pub’s relaunch on Wednesday April 23, The Norfolk is offering 50 per cent off all drinks and free samples of menu highlights. What else is on the cards? Giveaways, live music and a “very special announcement”. Head in from 6pm.

The Norfolk returns on Wednesday April 23, 2025.

thenorfolksydney.com
@norfolkhotelredfern