A bar outside of Terrigal that’s open every night of the week? Well, sound the klaxon, people, as it’s finally happened.
Step forward, Lyons Den. Opening on Gosford’s Mann Street a few days before Christmas, there’s been a lot of excitement about this new watering hole. That’s down to a few things…
The concept and design are flawless. Flashback to a few years ago and this sandstone building was once the home of Reviver. You know, the late-night speakeasy that was all moody dark. Before that, a funeral parlour.
Lyons Den is the polar opposite. Light, bright and with a distinct safari feel, you’ll find rattan furniture, turquoise-tiled tables, a statement bar and a courtyard beer garden, punctuated perfectly with cute yellow umbrellas.
The owners, brother and sister duo Jared and Claire Lyons, pulled in the help of local designer Xanthe Highfield of Studio Highfield and well, if you want a professional job get the pros in, right? It’s paid dividends.
And it’s not their only power-playing move despite it being their first bar opening. They also managed to nab the skills of internationally-celebrated artist Leigh Kaplan to paint a mural the whole length of the bar. The New York-based, Australian artist was locked out of the States due to COVID, and this is her first work on the Coast.
Central Coast Nightlife
Jared told Coasties, “Every detail has been carefully thought about. We wanted to go in a total different direction to Reviver. That was a very conscious decision. We wanted everything to be light and fresh.”
The excitement about Lyons Den is also down to the basics: the service is smooth (no teething issues here); the cocktails are sophisticated and the wine list is extensive. There’s also an African tapas menu with the likes of Mozambique prawns, fried breads (don’t leave without trying…) and a platter of cured meats.
“Out of all of it, I felt most nervous about the menu,” says Jared. “But I wanted something unique. To offer the customers something they can’t get anywhere on the Coast. And in the end, it has been received very well so I can let out a sigh of relief.”
The duo also have their eye firmly on supporting local businesses, with Six String and Bay Rd Brewery just a few of many local names on their menus.
But what is standing Lyons Den apart is its opening times. Yes, an unsexy topic but one of mammoth importance.
Lyons Den is open every night of the week. There’s no Wednesday night kick off. There’s no waiting for the weekend. The doors are open, the bar staff ready and the zippy atmosphere is unwavering.
A gamble? Not really. Since opening, Lyons Den hasn’t had a thumb-twiddling quiet night. It’s as busy on a Monday as on a Friday.
“The scene is changing,” says Jared. “We’re seeing a mass exodus of Sydneysiders and they’re used to visiting a bar any night of the week.
“We know we’re a long way from Gosford being anywhere near the likes of Sydney or London, but both Claire and I are both incredibly passionate about Gosford. There’s been zero investment in Gosford despite it being our major city.
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“We want to make it a real-life city and real-life cities have a bar scene that is open every night of the week. That’s really important to us.”
There’s no mistaking that Lyons Den is a scene disruptor, showing their Gosford neighbours that it’s possible to be open seven days a week and still thrive. That’s their magic. And it’s why its already cementing itself as the king of the jungle and in little less than a month. Impressive.
If you visit Lyons Den, give us a tag in on our socials. We’re at @coastiesmag on Instagram and Facebook.
The Details
Name: Lyons Den
Address: 37a Mann St, Gosford NSW 2250
Website:https://lyonsdengosford.com.au/
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Congratulation!