Browse Directory

Justin Hemmes gets his JAM on in Sydney’s CBD

https://www.hospitalitydirectory.com.au/images/industry_news_images/2024/4_April/Jam.gif

Justin Hemmes has launched a new Sydney CBD bar – but you had top listen hard to know it was opening.

The launch of JAM Record Bar was kept under wraps until opening night.

“It’s my youngest daughter’s favourite colour,” the Merivale CEO told Good Food.

JAM officially opens on Friday, April 19, located next door to Bar Totti’s. It is inspired by Japan’s listening bars.

JAM is an acronym for “John and Merivale”, the name of Hemme’s mother and father.

“They had a shop called Jam and Jam jeans,” Hemmes said, noting they also released a JAM record.
 

“Thank God it was none of us singing [on it],” Hemmes said.

The hospitality king has kept the vinyl connection, appointing Nick van Tiel as head of music to curate a collection of 15,000 vinyl records for the bar.

Overseeing the menu is Michael Fox, who is head chef at upmarket Sushi-e restaurant.

“This is very much a music-led concept,” Fox said.

The menu includes Filet-o-fish inspired spring rolls and skewers of chicken and zucchini. Offal could also be on its way.

“Listening bars in Japan tend to be quieter places, [but] JAM will be louder,” Fox said of the 40-seat venue which is designed by Merivale regular Kelvin Ho.

Both Ho and Hemmes toured Japan’s listening bars last year for inspiration, but vowed their version wouldn’t be as serious.

“The whole room feels like you’re in a giant speaker, the padding, everything,” Ho says.

Hemmes is busy this month.

Next week Merivale will open 200-seat restaurant Good Luck.

 

Jonathan Jackson, 17th April 2024