New look for The Bourbon heralds turnaround for landmark venue and Kings Cross

He has refurbished one of Kings Cross' landmark venues and now publican Chris Cheung wants to change the conversation about the troubled precinct. Mr Cheung, managing director of C.inc Property and owner of the Coogee Bay Hotel, will reopen The Bourbon tomorrow.

He said the new-look Bourbon would be a restaurant and bar, not a nightclub, with a focus on food, live music and late-night dining.

Only the ground floor of the four-storey venue will reopen this week, with a maximum capacity of more than 400 people.

Mr Cheung hopes to reopen the remaining three levels over the next two years, subject to approval from Sydney Council.

He has applied to the council to keep the extended trading hours for The Bourbon and neighbouring Club Swans, which he also owns.

Chris Cheung, managing director of C.inc, inside the revamped venue which will cater for more sophisticated types with great food and live music.

The venue would complement other eateries in Potts Point, he said.

"We are not a nightclub and we don't intend to build a nightclub.

"I think that's well captured and offered down at Bayswater Rd," he said.

"Most licensed venues and restaurants, we're part of the solution (in Potts Point).

"We have to change the tone, and talk about the good things that happen within the precinct.

"There are some fantastic operators. Let's talk about that rather than focusing on the negativity of a handful."

Formerly The Bourbon and Beefsteak, the venue has been a Kings Cross institution and was an R&R site for American soldiers during the Vietnam War.

Mr Cheung bought the Bourbon and Club Swans site on Darlinghurst Rd for $22 million in 2010 after its roof collapsed in a storm.

Source: The Telegraph, 21 February 2013