Hamilton turned up the volume last night as media, hospitality figures and Newcastle’s new Lord Mayor Gavin Morris gathered for the launch of Nonna Bizzarro, the bold new late-night Italian-American restaurant and bar opening upstairs at The Exchange Hotel.
Guests arriving at the preview event were welcomed with cocktails that set the tone for the evening, including a Limoncello Spritz made with house-made limoncello, prosecco, lemon, mint and soda, alongside the Bella Verde featuring Grey Goose vodka, elderflower, cucumber, lemon and agave. From the moment the doors opened, it was clear this was not aiming to be a traditional dining experience.
Opening to the public tonight, Thursday 14 May, Nonna Bizzarro leans hard into a chaotic, high-energy aesthetic inspired by Italian-American dining culture and late-night nightlife.
The venue combines Italo disco vibes, DJs every night and interiors filled with clam-shaped disco balls, stained glass, neon lighting and eclectic furniture that feels intentionally impossible to place in a single decade.
“Nonna Bizzarro is the restaurant we’ve always wanted to eat at,” General Manager Tim Pearson said.
“It’s generous, it’s loud, and it has that feeling of a room that comes alive the moment you walk in. We wanted to create a place where the food is abundant, the music is part of the experience, and the night keeps going long after the plates are cleared.”
The concept centres around the fictional figure of “Nonna”… A rebellious, eccentric matriarch whose presence is felt throughout the venue in the oversized hospitality, limoncello shots, loud tables and theatrical energy of the room.
Dinner here is designed to evolve into a full night out, with DJs spinning through every service until late and the occasional surprise promised along the way.
On the menu, diners can expect unapologetically indulgent Italian-American classics designed for sharing. Highlights of our experience included the burrata with salsa verde, hot honey, and focaccia; Nonna’s Signature Disco Pasta; a towering 10-layer lasagna with a side of cabbage salad and duck-fat potatoes; and, finally, a dessert of one of the most decadent tiramisus we’ve ever eaten.
Nonna Bizzarro officially opens tonight, Thursday, 14 May, upstairs at The Exchange Hotel in Hamilton. You can find out more by visiting nonnabizzarro.com.au.
