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Back in the mid 2010s, the heritage-listed pub on the corner of Sussex and Slip Streets was a CBD institution – a no-frills destination for getting down to an eighties soundtrack, schooner in hand. On Friday and Saturday nights, a queue would snake up the street as dancefloor-ready Sydneysiders waited to be admitted entry to “Retro” – an abbreviation of the pub’s full name, The Bristol Arms Retro Tavern. The name was accurate for several reasons: its offering was straight-up unpretentious fun, and the pub has been around for decades. The current building dates back to 1889, but there are records of a tavern existing on the site since 1865. All that’s to say, this Sydney boozer has history.
When The Bristol reopened in August 2024 after a major renovation, it dropped its Retro Tavern title – focusing on its more refined offerings (the beautiful rooftop bar is one of the city’s best). Now though, in excellent news for Abba-lovers, Retro is officially back – officially operating again on the first floor of The Bristol.
The revived Retro promises a high-energy, nostalgia-fuelled nightclub experience celebrating the biggest hits of the ’80s, ’90s and ’00s – but with “a modern twist”. Expect DJs spinning club-ready remixes of iconic pop, R&B and party anthems designed to spark shameless singalongs on a packed out, unpretentious dancefloor. Plus, they'll be hosting a series of themed house parties on Saturday nights.
“Retro was about shared memories and letting go,” says venue manager Meg Wilson. “It was synonymous with the kind of night where everyone knows the words and the dancefloor moves together. We’ve kept the spirit of the original Retro Nightclub alive while fine-tuning it for a new generation.”
The space itself (previously known as Calypso nightclub) has been fully refurbished (though the disco ball ceiling remains, thank goodness) – with upgraded sound technology and new interactive elements (including an old-school photo booth and a "Retro Hotline" phone booth) designed to make your night out as social and shareable as poss.
Drinks lean heavily into the nostalgia theme, too. Glitter-laced cocktails headline the menu, including the Space Invader (complete with sherbet rim and UFO garnish) and the Cherry Cola Classic topped with Haribo. Strap in for the sugar high. Plus, a party-starting happy hour (with cut-price retro cocktails) runs from 9pm-10 every Saturday.
Keen? You can learn more (and book your VIP table) over here.
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