A hatted Sydney restaurant in a prime beachside location is the latest to shut its doors.
The Corner Palm Beach only opened five months ago on Sydney’s picturesque northern beaches. But this week, it was confirmed via a social media notice that their final day of service will be Sunday, March 1.
In a possible positive sign, however, the owners insist the venue’s closure is simply a ‘pause’.
‘As our first summer at The Corner draws to a close, we’re so grateful for the incredible season we’ve shared with you,’ began a statement on the restaurant’s Instagram account.
‘From long lunches to late dinners, it’s been a joy to see the space come to life, and we’re thrilled to have been recognised with our first Good Food hat,’ it continued – acknowledging the prestigious accolade it achieved in just the first few months of operation.
‘We will be taking a pause, with our final summer service planned for Sunday, March 1,’ the statement added, confirming the impending shutdown of the venue, which is a hybrid dining room, wine bar, delicatessen and providore.
‘Bookings are now open for these last few weeks, and we’d love to welcome you in before we turn the next page’.
The message concluded with a note of thanks to chef Sam Kane for ‘shaping the opening chapter’ of the venue, and hinted that they were ‘looking forward to what’s next’.
The Corner Palm Beach announced via a social media notice that their final day of service will be Sunday, March 1.
The venue only opened five months ago on Sydney’s picturesque northern beaches
According to Broadsheet, The Corner Palm Beach was not intended to be a pop-up or summer residency, but the owners changed tack after bookings proved ‘not strong enough to sustain the venue outside of peak summer trade’.
The closure of The Corner Palm Beach, which is part of Sydney’s The Boathouse Group restaurant empire, has left locals devastated.
‘This elegant space and exceptional produce has been a real pleasure to find – rare at Palmy. Sorry to see the doors close,’ one diner replied to the announcement.
Another commented that it was ‘a real shame for all of us here in Palmy’.
‘We love it and visit often – please stay open, it’s the best,’ they pleaded.
Aussie influencer Indy Clinton even weighed in on the post, saying she was ‘so sad’ about the news.
Others felt the venue was only just hitting its stride, and that the news of the sudden closure was ‘devastating’.
‘The Corner has been so wonderful – can’t believe that it’s taking off and now it’s closing!’ one diner said.
The Corner Palm Beach was a hybrid dining room, wine bar, delicatessen and providore
The Corner Palm Beach was under the helm of executive chef Sam Kane. The recent closure announcement suggested he would be moving on and thanked him for ‘shaping the opening chapter’ of the venue
‘So sad and a majorly premature closing,’ added another comment, which tagged The Boathouse Group.
The Corner Palm Beach now joins another of the group’s venues to have recently shut its doors: The Boathouse at Rose Bay.
Located in the eastern suburbs, the venue’s closure came as a surprise to its well-heeled local patrons.
The institution quietly closed on January 11, with the news shared via a notice taped to the front door.
‘After five wonderful years, Sunday 14th of January was our final restaurant and café service at The Boathouse Rose Bay,’ the note began.
The sign went on to explain that the decision to close was due to the lease agreement ending.
A spokesperson for The Boathouse Group confirmed the contents of the note to Daily Mail, while also championing the next chapter of the hospitality business, which includes the recent opening of Las Palmas in Manly and a project in development for Terrey Hills.
‘We can’t wait to welcome guests to these new experiences and share what’s next,’ said Ben Collis, Head of Commercial and Marketing at The Boathouse Group.
The Boathouse Group operates several iconic waterside hospitality venues across Sydney and regional NSW.
Popular Sydney restaurant The Boathouse Rose Bay closed its doors permanently on January 11. Like The Corner Palm Beach, this venue was part of The Boathouse Group restaurant empire
The Boathouse Rose Bay, located on Rose Bay Marina, opened in 2021 and was once a hotspot for the elite inner Sydney crowd and local celebrities
Their flagship, The Boathouse, now has four outposts: Shelly Beach, Balmoral, and regional locations in Patonga and North Wollongong.
Other venues within the group’s current stable include Barrenjoey House in Palm Beach, Manly Pavilion, The Espy Manly, and The Mona Social.
The Boathouse Group’s story began in 2008 with the launch of their Palm Beach waterside café – which became an instantly popular, sought-after venue for Sydney’s who’s who.
But in 2019, the group famously landed in financial hot water, as reports emerged that the hospitality business was struggling with mounting debts, unpaid suppliers, and threats of wind-up action.
New investors were brought in, with property developers and brothers Ben and Jono Isaac stepping in to keep the group afloat.
The original owners, the Goldsmith family, later exited the business in 2021.
The Boathouse Group is now owned by the Isaac family, along with chief executive officer Antony Jones.
