Sydney’s iconic Marble Bar to celebrate its 118th birthday. Marble Bar is set to hold its first ever birthday party to celebrate the grand age of 118 years as Sydney’s most iconic bar and one of the city’s greatest live entertainment venues.

Tucked underneath the Hilton Sydney like a secret den, the landmark Marble Bar is a funky musical hub in the heart of the city. It’s a setting to enjoy live artists in decadent surrounds and sample premium beers, fine wines and classic cocktails. Live music including G3 featuring Glenn Cunningham (Soul-infused pop, blues and r ’n’ b).

With the overall design of the Hilton Sydney cool and contemporary, Marble Bar is a place to relive memories and create new ones. Built in 1893, Marble Bar is a jewel in Sydney’s crown, older than landmarks like the Queen Victoria Building (1898), Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932), Anzac War Memorial (1934), Sydney Opera House (1973) and Sydney Tower (1981).

Loved by generations past and present, Marble Bar is a completely unique Sydney spot. Liza Minnelli, George Benson, Wyclef Jean, Eve, Kelly Rowland, Mischa Barton, Ewan McGregor, Adam Lambert and Slash have all partied amongst its breathtaking and original marble features. Local rockers Cold Chisel announced their comeback tour at Marble Bar just last month, revisiting the very scene of their 1979 album cover ‘Breakfast at Sweethearts’ which was photographed at the bar.

Undoubtedly a birthday party that’s well overdue - celebrate 118 years with Marble Bar on 29 September 2011.

Marble Bar is now a designated national monument - the 118 year old Heritage-listed watering hole is architecturally breathtaking. The original George Adams Bar, named after its talented builder, was crafted costing the (then astronomical) sum of 32,000 pounds. The bar was relocated from Tattersall’s in 1973 and Hilton Sydney’s original architect J.H. Bryant assumed the role of Marble Bar historian having published several journal articles on the history of the bar.

In the following decades the bar hosted generations of international visitors and local revellers alike, yet the years took their toll. Smoke damage, staining and general wear and tear dulled the gleam of this world class masterpiece. As the Hilton Sydney underwent its own renovation, Marble Bar lay dormant, tucked underneath tonnes of concrete like a secret bunker ready to be unearthed. To restore the bar to its former glory was a labour of love, but each hand crafted column, rejuvenated cedar frame and perfectly shaped cornice now sparkles with renewed magnificence since its restoration in 2005.

Today patrons can enjoy the original 15th Century Italian Renaissance influence of the Marble Bar including 35 different varieties of Italian, Belgian and African marble as well as stained glass doors and ceilings, ornate carved bars of mahogany and a gallery of 14 Julian Ashton paintings valued at an estimated $1.6 million AUD. Marble Bar also features the four original fireplaces, which were restored piece by piece when the bar was moved from Tattersall’s.