The 560-square-metre Saltbox venue will open in Autum 2025 at the new development in Surry Hills, east of the CBD.

Wunderlich Lane has been created by TOGA Group and will feature retail, beauty, wellness and hospitality vendors – as well as boutique luxury hotel The Eve – when it opens in late 2024.

Saltbox is the first sole-operated venue by the group behind caterer Cook & Waiter, which is owned by David O’Brien and his hospitality team that boasts experience at Guillaume at Bennelong, Bentley Restaurant Group, Tetsuya’s, Rockpool, Sixpenny and the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and Belinda Franks.

The state-of-the-art events venue will feature three indoor spaces, floor-to-ceiling windows and a 119-square-metre outdoor entertainment terrace.

“Just as salt enhances the flavour of food, Saltbox will inspire and enhance the hospitality experience at every opportunity, through the integration of a world-class venue with the exceptional food, service and guest experience Cook & Waiter is renowned for,” says O’Brien.

“The addition of an events venue to our growing business portfolio gives clients a new destination to consider – a refreshing alternative in the heart of a vibrant lifestyle precinct on the city’s progressive and energetic fringe that is pushing boundaries in terms of location, guest experience and sustainability credentials.”

Once open, Saltbox will cater to breakfast, lunch and dinner events, including business meetings, brand launches, cocktail parties and wedding receptions.

The main pillarless room will accommodate 250 guests seated or 460 cocktail-style.

“Clients want more and that’s what we’ll give them,” says Cook & Waiter’s head of sales and marketing, Jules Cameron.

“Saltbox is the exclusive, standalone event venue at Wunderlich Lane – it’s a spectacular space worth waiting for, and we’re already abuzz with enquiries for 2025.”