![PARTY CREW: The boys from Papi Dulce in Thirroul are putting fried chicken and greasy burgers aside to make fine dining 'fun at Bar Padre. Chay McGregor, Andrew Juskiw, Ashley ONeill, Amanda Hertz and Barry Pearson. Picture: Sylvia Liber PARTY CREW: The boys from Papi Dulce in Thirroul are putting fried chicken and greasy burgers aside to make fine dining 'fun at Bar Padre. Chay McGregor, Andrew Juskiw, Ashley ONeill, Amanda Hertz and Barry Pearson. Picture: Sylvia Liber](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/526645be-347c-439f-8901-1ceebf76d102.jpg/r0_0_4834_3223_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The team behind Hank's Fried Chicken and Papi Dulce are swapping fat burgers for fine dining with a new establishment opening in Kiama on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Bar Padres has moved into where the Little Blowhole Art Bar used to be on Tingira Crescent and has kept the disco ball ready for some "fun" times.
![Kiama local Ashley O'Neill is happy they've kept the sparkly disco ball at Bar Padres, which is in place where the Little Blowhole Art Bar used to be on Tingira Street. Picture: Sylvia Liber Kiama local Ashley O'Neill is happy they've kept the sparkly disco ball at Bar Padres, which is in place where the Little Blowhole Art Bar used to be on Tingira Street. Picture: Sylvia Liber](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/7dd25315-9468-4d8a-aad7-44f4e3b35a87.jpg/r0_0_5216_3477_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We wanted to create a fun style of dining," Barry Pearson said. "Good music, good food, a place where people can come and have fun. It's like fine dining but not wanky."
Mr Pearson and his business partners (Ashley O'Neil, Andrew Juskiw and Steve Lozenkovsk) wanted to bring about a Hollywood party atmosphere by painting the walls pink and adding a wooden zebra at the bar, but also want to welcome all ages.
![Barry Pearson at Bar Padres. Picture: Sylvia Liber Barry Pearson at Bar Padres. Picture: Sylvia Liber](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/3227c7ee-3206-4442-9e87-ca814c2f7b0d.jpg/r0_0_4919_3279_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"There's definitely an older demographic living in Kiama and we're not looking to scare them away, but we also want to drag the younger crowd in," he said.
The team are keen to promote local - including Mr O'Neil who "lives down the road" - by supplying an array of locally sourced produce and beverages.
![HOT WHEELS: Ashley O'Neill, Andrew Juskiw, Chay McGregor and Barry Pearson with Papi's Burger truck. Picture: Robert Peet HOT WHEELS: Ashley O'Neill, Andrew Juskiw, Chay McGregor and Barry Pearson with Papi's Burger truck. Picture: Robert Peet](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/30792f8a-4827-448b-a343-5987d33f67ab.jpg/r0_0_5472_3648_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Beers by Principal Brewing at Fairy Meadow (where their Hank's outlet currently stands) and Seeker in Unanderra are in stock, along with wines from Benson & the Mooch.
The current menu to available the venue is Mediterranean-inspired and includes fried olives, grilled squid, spatchcock with labna, plus haloumi and zucchini tuom.
From next week, they will be opening Wednesday to Saturday 5pm to 10pm, and Sundays 12pm to 7pm. By June they hope to be open for lunch on Friday and Saturday also.
Mr Pearson said their other ventures - Papi Dulce in Thirroul, Hank's Fried Chicken in Fairy Meadow, and the food truck Papi's Burgers were all running well, with the business partners in the "fine-tuning" stage.
Bar Pardes is at 4 Tingira Crescent in Kiama.
To read more stories, download the Illawarra Mercury news app in the Apple Store or Google Play.