The Wine Bar at The International

The International is a multi-dimensional venue elevated in the centre of Sydney at 25 Martin Place. Conceived by The Point* Group- renowned for Sydney venues such as Shell House and The Dolphin Hotel- The International is a three-level destination that harmoniously integrates the modernist design of its surrounding precinct with a contemporary approach to hospitality. Positioned between Harry Seidler’s celebrated 1978 ‘MLC Centre’ tower and his mushroom-shaped CTA Business Club, The International sits within the architectural reimagining of 25 Martin Place by Woods Bagot, with its organic 'ribbon' lit levels weaving around an outdoor plaza and iconic geometric water feature. Anchoring the project, The Point Group’s Interior Stylist Anna Hewett created interiors that build a dialogue between the Seidler architectural icon and a postmodernist aesthetic in The International’s three distinct spaces. A relaxed and convivial hub, The Wine Bar embraces the Seidler vernacular with swathes of matte timber-clad walls, crazy-paved stone floors, stainless steel highlights, and curved glass windows. These windows retract to allow for a terrace-like ambience, with the classic modernist ethos of seamless indoor-outdoor connectivity. The plaza of the wine bar is anchored by Charles Perry’s vivid yellow steel sculpture “S” at one end, before meandering through to the intimate, carpeted ‘Seidler Room’ at the other. Hewett drew inspiration for the space from an unexpected source: images she found of the office of longstanding MLC Centre tenant and former Prime Minister, The Hon. John Howard AC. “He has been in the building for some time and his office was a kind of touchstone for The Wine Bar,” says Hewett. “We referenced the timber cladding, vibrantly hued carpet, and elegant simplicity – it’s a warm, clubby space that transports you. Almost as much as the incredible international wine list you will be drinking from.” At the heart of the design and menu is the Marana Forni oven, chosen not only for its performance but also for its aesthetic qualities. Its retro form and striking profile provide a natural complement to the mid-century–meets-postmodernist interior palette, while its Italian heritage underscores the international/Italian wine bar sensibility of the menu. From a functional standpoint, the oven has elevated service by ensuring consistency, speed, and quality across a busy kitchen. It allows the team to execute a menu that leans into European traditions while meeting the operational demands of a high-volume Sydney venue. The result is a space where design and culinary performance converge, with the Marana Forni oven serving as both a visual anchor and a practical engine for The Wine Bar’s offering.