A well-known Redfern pub is reopening under new management this April. It features a refurbished venue and a renewed focus on classic pub fare.
Photo Credit: The Norfolk
Historical Venue Reopens Following Change in Operators
The Norfolk Hotel on Cleveland Street is set to reopen on 23 April, marking its return after a period of closure. The venue had previously operated under Public Hospitality, which faced financial difficulty in 2024.
Solotel is one of Sydney’s largest hospitality groups. It has since acquired The Norfolk. The group also acquired three former Public venues—The Strand in Darlinghurst, Oxford House in Paddington, and Camelia Grove in Alexandria.
Refurbishment Reflects Redfern’s Local Heritage
Solotel has completed extensive internal renovations at The Norfolk, retaining art deco elements while updating finishes with a palette of pale greens, warm reds, and soft creams.
Timber features and exposed brick have been preserved, with new custom carpet reflecting the venue’s architectural history. The revamp marks The Norfolk as the first of Solotel’s four new venues to undergo full restoration.
Food Offering Combines Pub Staples and Local Partners
Executive Chef Toby Wilson, best known for his work at Rico’s Tacos, now leads the venue’s food operations. While Rico’s continues to operate in the courtyard space, Chef Wilson has designed a broader menu focused on pub classics.
Dishes include pork and fennel sausage rolls sold by the inch, beef and VB party pies, an Aussie rissole burger, roast chicken and sage rolls, crumbed fish sandwiches, and pastrami-cured ocean trout served with rye toast.
The menu also features collaborations with local partners. Good Ways Deli supplies daily-baked focaccia served with French onion dip, while Ciccone & Sons contributes to a lamington ice cream sandwich. The drinks menu includes a rotating wine list curated by Solotel’s Master of Wine and a dark lager brewed in partnership with Yulli’s Brews.
Weekly Events and Community Offers Set
The Norfolk will relaunch with an “Everyone’s Welcome Party” on 23 April from 6 p.m., featuring 50 per cent off drinks, free menu tastings, live music, and giveaways.
Ongoing weekly events include:
- Happy Hour (Monday to Friday, 4 to 6 p.m.) offering $7 schooners, $12 cocktails, and sausage rolls from $2 an inch
- Trivia Tuesdays with prizes, $18 rissole burgers, and $15 beer jugs
- Thursday Raffle (Spin the Wheel) with changing prizes
- Friday Meat Raffle & Badge Draw
- Sunday Specials including roast rolls and $10 Bloody Marys
On ANZAC Day (25 April), the pub will host 2UP in the beer garden from midday and donate $1 from every Resch’s schooner and pint sold to Legacy Australia. Raffles, food specials, and DJs will follow from 5 p.m.
Aiming to Restore Redfern’s Local Pub Culture
Solotel has clearly intended to return The Norfolk to its origins as a neighbourhood pub. General Manager Marcella Guilfoyle and Executive Chef Toby Wilson are leading efforts to rebuild community connection and deliver a space grounded in local flavours and relaxed hospitality.
The reopening follows several prior branding iterations, including House of Crabs, The Norfolk House & Hotel, La Salut, and Rico’s Tacos under different operators. Solotel aims to re-establish the venue as a welcoming corner pub serving the Redfern community.
Published 12-Apr-2025
