The closure of Hugos Lounge and its spin-off pizzeria on the weekend is just the latest in a growing queue of casualties for a once thriving strip.
The Kings Cross end of Bayswater Road was once Sydney restaurant gold, the now closed Bayswater Brasserie playing to packed crowds and David Thompson's Darley Street Thai garnering global attention.
The list of departures in recent years is depressingly long. Concrete Blonde, The Ortolan, Bayswater Diner, Smith's on Bayswater and Buns and Balls just a few.
In recent months Love on Top joined them. Hugos owner Dave Evans, who claims the venue suffered a 60 per cent decline in revenue since, is critical of the lock-out laws.
Peter Lew, owner of Barrio Chino, one of Bayswater Road's success stories, says he, like many operators, are waiting to see the impact of Hugos departure.
"We get a lot of people coming to dinner here then going to Hugos. I guess now we're destination only."
