Mjolner: Viking Themed Restaurant & Bar Opens in Redfern

Mjølner may be difficult to pronounce but it’s a name on everyone’s lips.

Opened this week, Mjolner, meaning the hammer of Thor, is the name of the highly anticipated venue from the Speakeasy Group (Eau de Vie Sydney, Eau de Vie Melbourne, The Roosevelt, and Boilermaker House). The Viking-inspired venue is located in an old tobacco factory along Cleveland Street and combines an underground bar and restaurant.

Mjolner (pronounced Mjol-near) draws inspiration from the grand Asgardian feasts of Valhalla, where the Viking Gods indulged their senses both day and night. Step through the door and you’ll see part of a Viking ship coming off the wall, a teaser of what awaits you as you descend the stairs. It might be themed, but the fitout is all elegance, style with historic Viking features intermingled with contemporary Scandinavian design.

The venue is headed by Alex Dahlenburg (ex Grain Bar) with an inventive cocktail list by Andy Griffiths. As per the other Speakeasy venues, whisky is the main spirit and the bar at Mjolner is nearing 400 whiskies from all around the world with many more to come. When it comes to cocktails, prepare to be awed like you’ve never been. The emphasis on theatre is omnipresent but the innovation and flavour combinations are what will bring you back. Read about how Andy Griffiths devised a Viking-themed cocktail list here.

Head chef Tom Gripton (ex Yellow, Bentley and Restaurant Hubert) brings a food menu with a focus on meats that changes regularly. You’ll find a bird, a fish, a beast and a vegetarian dish and with an open carvery where the theatre of the carving station is part of the experience. Order your choice of meats, and you’ll be asked to choose your weapon of choice from a set of knives that will make you feel like a Viking. 

Cured meat are presented in two old tobacco kilns that have been converted into cured meat fridges. Much like whisky bottle service at Eau de Vie, guests can purchase whole legs for storage on site.

Below is a snapshot of the food and cocktail menu.

Northern Lights ($20) – Plymouth gin, iced riesling, sorrel, elderflwer & malic acid.

King’s Fizz ($20) – Olmeca blanco tequila, fino sherry, quince syrup, saline, pink grapefruit… Carbonated.

Shrubbery ($20) – Beefeater gin, house elderberry liqueur, lemon, thyme and tea tincture, egg white, carbonated rosé.

     

Gravlax, Pickled cucumber, horseradish & linseed ($20)

Charcuterie platter with spiced pigs head terrine

Roasted bone marrow, Meat powder, pickled herbs ($20)     

Bird: Roast duck, beetroot, amaranth & orange ($55)

Fish: Flat head, sorrel, chicory hock sauce ($55)

Beast: Braised short rib, kale & mushroom ($55)

Choose your weapon

Baby potato with Horseradish, soft herbs ($10)

Mjolner is open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to midnight and on Sunday from noon to 10pm.

Mjølner
267 Cleveland Street, Redfern
Ph: 02 96999142
Website: mjolner.com.au
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-midnight; Sunday noon-10pm.

Photography © by Gourmantic where watermarked- Copyright: All rights reserved. Last photo supplied.