After months of renovations under the cover of lockdown, diners have returned to the refreshed, playful and quirky venue Mama Saan in Bondi. Launched to the public on Thursday, October 21, locals and Bondi frequenters can expect a brand-new menu, extensive redesign, and an enlivened music offering in tow.
From the path of Beach Road through the doors of Mama Saan, punters will be transported into a new world where Blade Runner combines with the street bars of Tokyo. Becoming a cultural institution in the heart of Bondi, Mama Saan offers live entertainment five nights a week, a modern take on Japanese tapas cuisine and a cheeky mix of neon lights with old school vibes.
The reinvigorated menu by Head Chef Voltaire Silva centres around high-end Japanese street food designed to share, with standouts including kimchi cucumber and sashimi tacos set to be summer staples. Whether it’s a quick stop for some sashimi, a casual drink, or a birthday degustation with cocktails to match, Mama Saan has it covered.
On the menu, Voltaire Silva adds: “What I miss most are trips to Japan for the food, the quirky eat spots with simple food served with love, dedication and care. I want to bring flavours of my travels to some contemporary shared bites to the locals. There will be unique flavours and pairings which I believe a lot of people won’t have tasted in Sydney”.
Taking inspiration from a pre-lockdown trip to Japan, bar hopping around Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo, the cocktail and drinks menu combines classics with a Japanese twist. There’ll be signature takes on a Tokyo Sour with Bison Grass Vodka, house-made raspberry liqueur and Sansho pepper, an Osaka Blossom, and an abundance of ice-cold Sapporos, Japanese whisky and wine and, of course, sake.
A core focus of Mama Saan’s new identity will be championed through their emphasis on music and community, both of which will be curated by Bondi local entertainment agency More to Come. Following months of lockdown, there’s a renewed importance to bring back live music to Bondi, with Mama Saan paving the way by supporting local artists five nights a week.
Bridging the gap between culinary/hospitality excellence and a good time, More to Come Founder, Hugh Cruickshank adds: ““We’re really excited to be bringing live music five nights a week to Bondi. We’ve got some very special secret guests coming throughout the first two months and a collection of residents pulled from some of Sydney’s finest labels and party crews, including Something Else, Gallery Recs, Conspiracy, Sessions, Girls on Deck, Banquet and many more”.
Sitting alongside Rosie Campbell’s and Mille Vini, Mama Saan is one of three reputable venues from the Esper Hospitality group, and though the decor and menu have been completely flipped on their heads, the heart of Mama Saan remains: a unique spot, shared bites and good music. Working alongside Sydney’s revered hospitality design and shop fitters, Guru Projects, Mama Saan has received a new vibe and style to compliment its new reinvention.
Mama Saan Co-Founder Andrew Wallace further notes, “Our vision for Mama Saan was to create a unique and alternate experience, to do our part in re-energising Sydney’s hospitality scene. We serve quality food and drink, yet we are not just a bar or restaurant, but everything in-between. We want to challenge the norm, in terms of what you feel inside a venue that focuses on live music, friendly service and delicious food/drinks.”
Mama Saan is now open.
Mama Saan
57/59 Beach Rd, Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Opening hours:
Tuesday 5pm–10pm
Wednesday 5pm–11pm
Thursday & Friday 5pm–12am
Saturday 12pm–12am
Sunday12pm–10pm