Bar Olé Tapas Restaurant Launches in Applecross as Part of New Entertainment Precinct
Bar Olé, a seasonal Spanish tapas restaurant, has officially opened its doors in Applecross, marking the beginning of a new entertainment precinct envisioned by co-owner Ryan Esqulant. Despite opening on Friday the 13th this month, the venue has experienced nothing but success, with the community enthusiastically embracing this fresh addition to the local dining scene.
Opening Night Success and Future Plans
The restaurant reached full capacity on its opening night as locals flocked to experience the latest culinary venture. Bar Olé will soon be joined by The Heart, an upscale pub scheduled to open in May, further expanding the precinct's offerings.
Ryan Esqulant, co-owner of Bar Olé, explained his vision for creating a vibrant entertainment hub in Applecross. "I'm trying to do a new entertainment precinct here. We'll have Bar Olé, which is Spanish tapas, and then The Heart will be the pub," he said. "We'll have an Italian offering, a grill, and a Japanese-style menu, which we named UBON."
Esqulant noted that Applecross currently lacks diverse dining options, making this development particularly timely. "My wife and I looked around Applecross, and there's just not that much of an offering. What we do, there's nothing like it," he added.
Dining Experiences and Community Impact
Bar Olé, led by head chef Mattia Gattini, serves Spanish-inspired tapas designed for sharing. Signature dishes include:
- Paella
- Chorizo
- Fresh local seafood
The sister venue, The Heart, will offer a unique blend of classic pub fare, Italian pizza from a wood-fired oven, and Japanese cuisine, aiming to provide "something for everyone."
The 800-square-meter site on Canning Beach Road was originally intended for smaller units, but Esqulant amalgamated the land to accommodate the restaurants, which he believes better serve the community's needs. "The apartment blocks going up and high-density living here is insane. It's becoming a mini satellite city here," he observed. "People need more offerings, and hopefully we'll deliver. They need that community."
Licensing and Community Response
Bar Olé is licensed for 240 patrons, and Esqulant hopes The Heart will be licensed for 300 to 400 people. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive. "We've been getting 'thank yous' for bringing something new and vibrant to Applecross," Esqulant shared. "People who have been here 40-odd years are saying it's just what they needed, and with the views we've got it's absolutely breath-taking. We're very lucky."
The restaurant boasts a beautiful view of the foreshore, located at the base of the Riviere apartment block. Esqulant emphasized that a scenic view is a key business requirement, noting that their northern venues overlook the Indian Ocean, while Bar Olé offers views of the Swan River.
ELG Australia's Expansion and Future Prospects
Ryan Esqulant and his wife Nikki are co-founders of the family-run hospitality group ELG Australia. Bar Olé represents the sixth addition to their portfolio, which includes:
- Hillarys Beach Club
- Bar Olé Iluka
- Yanchep Beach Club and summer pop-up
- Sorrento Beach Club
Bar Olé and The Heart mark ELG Australia's first ventures south of the river. Esqulant expressed optimism about future opportunities in Western Australia. "There's an influx of new people coming to WA, it's such a young State with a lot to offer," he said. "There's plenty of opportunity here still. We're looking forward to creating more nice venues for the WA community."
This development not only enhances Applecross's dining landscape but also reflects broader trends in community-focused hospitality, catering to the growing population and demand for diverse entertainment options.
