Modern Australian Bistro & Offline Poker Lounge
Welcome to Straight & Sear – a Belle Époque inspired, modern Australian bistro where wide, airy light meets deeply comforting plates, artisan tasting platters, and renowned hospitality. By night, our upstairs Offline Poker Salon gathers thinkers, strategists, and friends for face-to-face games in a warm, intimate retreat.
Open for brunch, long lunches, and evening services, with select nights dedicated to our upstairs Card Salon.
A History of Craft & Community
Straight & Sear was born from a love of slow craft: European bistro traditions, coastal Australian light, and the simple joy of long conversations around a shared table.
Our kitchen leans on classic methods—careful searing, slow braises, hand-rolled pastry—while celebrating Australian producers, native herbs, and seasonal harvests. Every plate is designed to feel familiar yet quietly surprising.
Beyond the pass, Straight & Sear has become a haven for food lovers, thinkers, and card aficionados. Regular guests know they can arrive early for a glass of wine in the sunlit front room, then drift upstairs as evening falls for thoughtful, face-to-face play in our Card Salon.
Offline Poker Evenings
Above the hum of the bistro, the Straight & Sear offline card salon offers an intimate setting for local, face-to-face card nights, strategy-driven games, and invitation-only tournaments.
Warm timber, low lighting, and attentive table service set the tone upstairs. Guests settle into leather-backed chairs with a favourite glass in hand, while our team ensures the rhythm of each game is perfectly matched with small plates and quiet hospitality.
The Card Salon is strictly offline and in-person. It is a space for conversation, concentration, and camaraderie—no flashing screens, only the tactility of cards, tokens, and hand-kept scores.
Signature Platters & Pairings
Our signature boards celebrate charcuterie, artisan cheeses, pickled and preserved vegetables, and house-made condiments that nod to both European cellars and Australian producers.
Each platter is arranged with easy sharing in mind, whether you are savouring a solo hour by the window or settling in with a table of friends ahead of an evening upstairs in the Card Salon.
People & Gatherings
Food, wine, and play are only as memorable as the people who host them. Our team curates a calendar of events that celebrate technique, terroir, and community.
From the first greeting at the door to the final pour upstairs, our team is united by a love of hospitality. Chefs draw from classic European kitchens and regional Australian produce; our sommeliers and hosts translate that craft into relaxed, confident service.
Many evenings, you'll find the same faces moving between the bistro floor and the Card Salon, ensuring continuity of care from plate to play.
Meet the Straight & Sear teamOur calendar weaves together culinary masterclasses, themed tasting evenings, and spirited community feasts. Expect pasta-making mornings, producer-led wine flights, and occasional card-themed suppers that begin in the bistro and conclude upstairs.
Each event is intentionally intimate, allowing time for questions, conversation, and unhurried enjoyment.
View seasonal eventsFrom local guides to national features, Straight & Sear has been recognised for its balance of refined cooking, welcoming energy, and the distinctive upstairs offline card salon.
Explore reviews, features, and interviews that capture our ongoing story within Australia's dining landscape.
Visit our press roomTestimonials & Kind Words
We measure our success in lingering goodbyes, familiar faces, and the small notes guests leave behind after an evening at Straight & Sear.
From the light through the front windows to the way the team talked us through the menu, everything felt calm, confident, and quietly special. The seasonal board and wine pairing were standouts, and we booked our next visit before dessert.
The upstairs Offline card salon is unlike anything else in the area: entirely focused on in-person play, respectful house rules, and excellent snacks from the bistro below. It feels like a private club without the formality.
I attended a weekend masterclass and left with new skills, recipes, and a deeper appreciation for the producers Straight & Sear works with. It was generous, well-paced, and delicious from start to finish.
Reserve Your Table
Whether you're joining us for a relaxed brunch, a long lunch with friends, or an evening that ends upstairs in the Card Salon, we recommend reserving ahead.
Share your preferred date, time, and occasion, and let us know if you're interested in post-dinner play in the offline card salon. Our team will respond with availability, recommendations, and any seasonal highlights for your visit.
For larger gatherings, private use of the Card Salon, or special occasions, please reach out via our Reservations page so we can craft a tailored experience.