bringing SRG’s hospitality expertise across dining, catering and events to the Darling Harbour precinct. The partnership includes the opening of HarbourWatch, a new café and premium events venue, as well as SRG’s engagement to manage the museum’s full portfolio of event spaces through SRG Events.
The appointment marks a significant deepening of the two organisations’ ongoing partnership and a step-change in the hospitality experience available to the museum’s more than one million annual visitors.
The opening also comes as SRG undergoes a generational transition. Founded in 2000 by Bill Drakopoulos, the group, which operates more than 30 venues across Sydney, is now being led by his four children, Anastasia, Nicola, Daniel and Perry, who serve as directors.
Through SRG Events at the Australian National Maritime Museum, SRG now manages all 10 event spaces across the precinct, offering a portfolio that spans intimate private dining through to large-scale functions for up to 2,500 guests.
Daniel Drakopoulos, managing director, SRG Hospitality said: “Our partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum has been incredibly rewarding, and this next chapter marks a significant step forward for both organisations. Following our recent renovations, we’re proud to elevate the hospitality offering within this much-loved cultural precinct and continue creating memorable dining experiences for both domestic and international visitors.
“The Museum has been an outstanding partner to work alongside, collaborative, forward-thinking and deeply committed to delivering a world-class experience. We’re excited to build on what we’ve achieved together so far, further enhancing the precinct with outstanding food and beverage experiences that complement the museum’s cultural significance and setting. It is the latest addition in a portfolio of landmark waterfront venues that has defined Sydney dining for more than two decades.”
Museum Director and CEO Ms Daryl Karp AM said, “For an institution where visitors spend upwards of four hours onsite, one of the most important contributors to a memorable customer experience is undoubtedly the food options available. SRG Hospitality has consistently proven themselves to be the ideal partner, helping us foster a welcoming atmosphere with their exceptional catering services. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality have elevated our guests’ experience at every turn.
‘We now celebrate them extending the same commitment to our event sales and operations ensuring all our event clients enjoy warm and memorable experiences.”
Designed by SRG Hospitality creative director Perry Drakopoulos, HarbourWatch seats 170 across an indoor dining room and an outdoor terrace, with the two spaces connected by a seamless indoor-outdoor transition that keeps the harbour in view throughout. The design scales from a weekday lunch to a 650-person cocktail event space without losing its character.
Perry Drakopoulos said: “The interior palette features soft stone, warm timber and aged brass creating an environment that feels airy and refined without ever feeling cold. It is defined by its materiality, including American oak wainscoting, high-gloss Venetian plaster walls that shift with the harbour light, Gascogne limestone flooring that runs from inside to the external terrace, and hand-cut vanilla tiles at the back bar that bring a sense of craft and warmth to the space.”
The kitchens across the precinct are led by head chef Rumesh Niroshan, who brings more than three years of experience within the SRG group to the role. Having progressed from senior sous chef, Niroshan will oversee day-to-day operations, develop the team, and ensure the consistency and quality the group is known for. He is supported by SRG’s head of culinary Alessandro Intini.
The HarbourWatch menu reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, featuring premium seafood certified to Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards, making HarbourWatch the first museum venue in Australia to hold ASC and MSC Chain of Custody certification.
HarbourWatch serves coffee and light dining to museum visitors and the public, seven days a week, with no museum ticket required to visit, and is open from 9am to 4pm (5pm during school holidays).
The venues sit within the museum’s Darling Harbour precinct, one of Sydney’s most-visited destinations, and is easily accessible by public transport, ferry, and on foot.
