Editorial stories from Australia's most cinematic poker restaurant

As twilight settles over the harbour, TheAceAndEmber awakens in a slow, cinematic glow. Eucalyptus-green reflections ripple across black stone surfaces, pendants cast a warm amber hue over walnut tables, and the gentle shuffle of cards becomes part of the soundtrack of the evening. Here, poker is not about stakes or risk; it is about connection, conversation and shared anticipation between courses of extraordinary Australian cuisine.

Each evening is composed like a film: a graceful arrival at our glassmorphism bar, a first toast with a handcrafted cocktail, the quiet thrill of sitting at a premium poker table beside colleagues, clients or close friends. Our team orchestrates every detail, from the tempo of service to the structure of each social tournament, to ensure that the night feels indulgent, unhurried and entirely bespoke to your table.

Across the room, corporate groups hold strategy conversations between hands, couples lean in over shared plates, and friends celebrate milestones with champagne in hand. The scene feels both intimate and electric, threaded together by genuine hospitality and a clear promise: at TheAceAndEmber, there is no real-money gambling – only the joy of refined play, conversation and world-class dining.

Our Head Chef approaches each season like a new chapter. The menu is built from the ground up around Australian provenance: line-caught seafood, pasture-raised meats, orchard fruit from regional growers and native botanicals that lend an unmistakably local character to every dish. Flavours are layered with precision so that each plate can stand alone, yet also harmonise with the rhythm of an evening spent between the dining room and the poker lounge.

The poker dinner menus are curated to flow effortlessly around social play. Dishes are served in considered sets, designed to arrive between hands or rounds so that conversation never feels interrupted. From smoky grilled octopus with native pepperberry to slow-braised short rib glazed in eucalyptus honey, each course becomes a talking point that lingers long after the final hand is revealed.

For corporate groups and private functions, our team collaborates closely with hosts to shape the pacing, pairings and degree of theatricality. A chef's table might begin with a dramatic tableside pour, weave through shared courses designed for interaction, and close with petite desserts presented like playing pieces across the table.

The architecture of TheAceAndEmber is purpose-built for evening light. Deep walnut panelling, black stone and brushed brass details catch the glow of pendant lighting, while mirrored accents and glass partitions bounce reflections of the room back to the eye. The result is a space that feels both expansive and cocooning, ideal for confidential business conversations and festive celebrations alike.

In our recent social tournaments, the room transformed into a stage of subtle theatrics. Laughter drifted from table to table, chips stacked neatly beside crystal glassware, and cameras captured fleeting details: a hand resting on buttery leather, a waiter gliding through the room with a tower of plates, a friend's expression just before revealing a winning hand in a purely recreational game.

Private functions bring yet another dimension to the space. For executive networking dinners, the dining room glows in a moody palette of eucalyptus green and amber, while the poker lounge offers an elevated retreat for post-dinner play. For milestone birthdays and anniversaries, we layer in personalised touches – bespoke menus, floral styling, and tailored lighting scenes – to create a visual story that feels entirely unique to the host.

Every social tournament at TheAceAndEmber begins with a conversation, not a rulebook. Our event host works closely with organisers to understand the mix of guests, from seasoned enthusiasts to absolute beginners. From there, our team designs a structure that prioritises inclusion, laughter and low-pressure excitement without any element of real-money gambling.

Hosts are briefed to keep the room feeling confident yet relaxed. They explain formats with clarity, encourage storytelling around the table and gently guide the pace to leave space for food, drinks and conversation. Our hospitality team moves in choreographed patterns, topping up glasses, explaining dishes and checking in on guests so that nobody ever feels rushed or left behind.

The result is an evening that feels closer to a private salon than a traditional tournament – an opportunity to learn, to connect and to compete playfully in a setting framed by fine dining and considered service.

Our sommelier views each poker night as a canvas for pairing possibilities. Instead of a rigid matched-wine structure, we curate flexible flights that complement both the menu and the personality of each table. Elegant Australian pinot noir, textural chardonnay and cool-climate riesling share the stage with native botanical cocktails, low-alcohol spritzes and zero-proof creations.

Service is timed to the rhythm of the night. A bright, aromatic white might be introduced early in the evening as guests settle into their first hands, while richer, more contemplative reds appear as conversations deepen and the room takes on a softer, later-hour glow. Our team offers pairing guidance without formality, inviting guests to explore and refine their own preferences.

For corporate bookings and private events, we craft bespoke pairing lists that reflect the host's vision – from understated, boardroom-ready selections to playful, discovery-driven line-ups ideal for celebrations and product launches.

Private events at TheAceAndEmber are crafted as complete narratives, from the first email to the final farewell at the door. Our team begins by listening: the occasion, the desired mood, the mix of guests, the balance between dining and play. From there, we design every element – menus, poker formats, timings, room layouts and staffing – to support an evening that feels effortless for the host and unforgettable for every guest.

Executive groups often favour structured poker introductions, with our hosts guiding new players through the fundamentals before gently elevating the energy with friendly table challenges. For birthdays and anniversaries, the focus may shift towards theatrics and spectacle: grand share plates, dramatic dessert presentations and celebratory moments woven organically into the flow of play.

Throughout it all, the environment remains anchored in contemporary Australian glamour – brass, leather, glass and stone assembled to form a luxurious yet warmly welcoming backdrop for connection.

Again and again, our guests tell us that it is the combination of warmth and theatre that lingers long after their evening ends. One executive guest described their team celebration as “the most engaged I've ever seen my colleagues away from the office”, with even the quietest members of the group drawn into the table's stories and shared strategy.

Couples speak of anniversaries marked by unexpected details – a favourite dessert reimagined by the kitchen, or a discreet congratulatory card waiting at the table. Groups of friends remember the exact hand that closed the night, not because of a prize, but because of the roar of laughter that followed, echoing against brass and glass in the soft late-evening light.

These stories guide the evolution of TheAceAndEmber. Every piece of feedback, every memory shared, helps us refine the way we welcome, host and farewell our community of guests.

The poker lounge at TheAceAndEmber was conceived as a modern interpretation of a private members' club, filtered through the lens of Australian hospitality. Bespoke tables feature inlaid details reminiscent of natural stone and timber grains, trimmed with soft-touch leather edges that invite hands to rest comfortably between plays. The palette of charcoal, walnut and brass creates a stage for cards, glasses and dishes to glow.

Architectural glass panels define spaces without closing them off, allowing light and sound to travel in a carefully balanced way. Guests gain a sense of intimacy at their own table while still feeling connected to the broader energy of the room. Designer pendants float above like constellations, casting pools of light that highlight expressions, gestures and plated details.

These design decisions are not about spectacle alone; they are about comfort and ease. A chair that feels perfect for a three-hour dinner, a table height that supports both dining and play, lighting that flatters while remaining practical – each choice contributes to a sense of considered luxury.

The heart of TheAceAndEmber is our team. From the maître d' who remembers your preferred table to the waiter who anticipates a dietary need before you mention it, every member of staff is trained to deliver service that feels intuitive rather than rehearsed. We pair fine-dining polish with an easy Australian warmth, ensuring that luxury never feels distant or stiff.

Before each service, the team walks through the night's guest list: who is celebrating a milestone, which corporate table is hosting international visitors, which couple is joining us for the first time. These details inform everything from greeting styles to pacing recommendations, creating a sequence of moments that feel naturally attuned to each group.

During poker evenings, our floor staff and hosts operate as a single, quietly coordinated unit. While one explains the flow of a friendly tournament, another refreshes drinks or introduces the next course, ensuring that gameplay and hospitality are woven together without friction.

Across the year, TheAceAndEmber curates a calendar of limited-capacity experiences that celebrate the best of Australian produce, design and social play. From winter fire-side banquets and truffle-infused poker suppers to spring cocktail showcases and end-of-year corporate soirées, each event is built around a distinct narrative.

Some evenings spotlight our culinary team, with multi-course tasting menus and optional guided wine flights. Others lean into the theatre of the poker lounge, offering hosted social tournaments for small groups and VIP guests, always with a focus on recreation and connection rather than wagering.

Subscribers to our journal and mailing list receive first access to reservations for these experiences, along with behind-the-scenes stories from the kitchen, bar and events team.