White Horse by Farago Han Studio

Rejuvenating a beloved Surry Hills pub, Farago Han Studio elevated Surry Hills’ White Horse Hotel through a contemporary interior design approach. With a renewed presence in Sydney’s pub scene, the iconic venue is simultaneously vibrant, warm and luxe.

While the existing white heritage facade remains, stepping inside The White Horse signals an immediate departure from what once was. The Crown Street pub is almost unrecognisable, with a newly reinstated ground-floor restaurant, upstairs public bar, outdoor garden terrace and intimate function room. Director Craig Hemmings teamed up with Farago Han Studio, the team behind The Waratah, with a brief to completely overhaul the old design and create a space that is refined and sophisticated yet feels inviting and laid back.

The Crown Street pub is almost unrecognisable, with a newly reinstated ground-floor restaurant, upstairs public bar, outdoor garden terrace and intimate function room.

Upon entering, the ground floor no longer houses the public bar and is instead the main restaurant. The space is pared-back, with moments of colour and texture imbuing an understated elegance. The palette is inspired by Surry Hills’ sandstone bedrock; soft and neural. Furniture selections are grounded in a subtle Scandinavian influence, with reclaimed French oak tables, Shaker-inspired solid timber Danish J39 chairs and locally made Gus chairs with woven sling-leather seats in khaki and navy.

Promoted to the upper level, the public bar feels more vibrant and moody. Saturated in a neon pinkish glow, the space features a green-tiled bar and a dark green Bizanto brushed quartz marble bar top, while bold artworks adorn the walls. Playful seating, with light blue leather tub chairs as well as saffron yellow wool and khaki velvet ottomans, evokes a sense of luxury and old-world charm.

 Light and airy, the outdoor terrace offers a reprieve from the drama inside.

The public bar flows out into a terraced garden as well as an expansive event space dominated by a dark palette of bold, block colours and blue hues. Light and airy, the outdoor terrace offers a reprieve from the drama inside. Organic seating arrangements are surrounded by an eclectic assortment of chairs. Meanwhile, a combination of off-white, peach and muted green tones are complemented by lush greenery, imbuing an almost coastal aesthetic.

Farago Han Studio has thoughtfully reworked a Sydney institution by creating a distinct identity for each space. Echoing the Surry Hills vernacular, The White Horse is reborn as a cultivated and dynamic venue where guests are invited to unwind.

Interior design by Farago Han Studio. Build by Impression Projects. Landscape design by 360 Degrees.