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They chose not to extend the black flooring of the theater lobby into the restaurant, opting instead for a warmer wood parquet. They also marked the transition between the two spaces with a stunning red glass screen with distinctive lighting designed by Australian artist Jonathan Jones. The translucency of the screen makes a visual connection between the restaurant and lobby while still providing a degree of visual separation.

Inside the restaurant, the three main walls are clad in perforated black leather panels. A long bar counter with patron seating anchors the rear wall and separates the open kitchen from the seating. A long banquette separates the table seating from the bar.

In the main seating area, the chairs are Thonet bentwood classics finished in silver to add sparkle to the ambience. The chairs reflect light from suspended light boxes custom designed by Brace and Loeb.

The designers conceived of the restaurant as a modern contemporary bistro that serves food at all times of the day and night. The restaurant provides for the local breakfast trade of passing workers, lunch patrons coming from the nearby Sydney central business district, preperformance diners, traditional restaurant patrons, and, finally, postshow theater goers in search of light meals or a bar.

The lighting and spatial variety add to the theatricality of the building complex. Both the theater and the bistro opened in January 2004.

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Lighting contrasts dramatize the transition between the Hickson Road Bistro and the Sydney Theatre lobby, both designed by PTW. Photo: Sharrin Rees Floor plan, Hickson Road Bistro. Image: PTW Architects The main walls are clad in perforated black leather panels. Photo: Sharrin Rees Women lighting against black leather. Photo: Sharrin Rees General dining area. Photo: Sharrin Rees A long banquette separates the table seating from the bar. Photo: Sharrin Rees A translucent screen provides partial separation between diners and the theater lobby. Photo: Sharrin Rees   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.