Private Room · Offline Poker
A private room inside Brass & Willow where dinner gives way to the quiet focus of offline poker. Low light, leather seating, and felt-topped tables set the stage for an evening of deliberate, social play.
The lounge is a dedicated space with low light, leather seating, and felt-topped poker tables. Every evening is designed for social play, not competition for money. The room seats a limited number of guests to preserve the atmosphere.
The Room
The Card Lounge is a low-lit room with charcoal walls, leather chairs, and three custom poker tables arranged for conversation and concentration. It sits inside Brass & Willow at 47 Smoke Street, Surry Hills, a short step from the dining room but a world away from its noise.
Each table has a recessed felt surface and a single overhead lamp that pools light on the cards. The room is acoustically treated to keep the murmur of the restaurant outside, so the only sounds are the soft turn of cards and the quiet rhythm of conversation. A small bar cart offers water, coffee, and a short list of non-alcoholic drinks.
This is a space designed for offline poker, not online play. There are no screens above the felt, no digital timers, and no distractions beyond the game in front of you.
Poker Formats
Every game in the Card Lounge is social, offline, and free of money, betting, or gambling. Chips are table props only, and the focus is on the pleasure of the game.
Format 01
The most popular format: a social Texas Hold'em-style game where players read the table, manage their chip stacks, and enjoy the slow burn of each hand. There are no buy-ins or cash value; chips are props for the game.
Games are dealer-called and paced for conversation, so there is always room to talk, order another course, or simply watch the table. Suitable for beginners and regular players alike.
Format 02
A relaxed format where the game is secondary to the company. Hands are played slowly, with breaks for dessert and coffee, and the dealer explains rules as needed.
Ideal for groups of four to six, with no pressure to play every hand. It is the easiest way to settle into the lounge and discover why offline poker feels so different from a screen.
Format 03
Reserve the entire Card Lounge for a private poker night with friends or colleagues. The room is yours for the evening, with a dedicated dealer and table service.
The menu can be customised with the kitchen, and the night can move between poker, dinner, and conversation at your own pace. Available Tuesday through Saturday. Booking is required.
The Ritual
Every poker night begins with the same quiet ritual: the felt is brushed, the chips are stacked, and the first card is turned under a low lamp. The dealer shuffles slowly, letting the sound of the cards set the pace.
Players are encouraged to pause between hands, to talk, to order another course. The room smells of leather, coffee, and the faint smoke of the kitchen. It is a deliberate, in-person experience, and the chips on the table are props, not currency.
House Etiquette
The Card Lounge follows a simple code: respect the table, respect the players, and let the game breathe. A few courtesies keep the room comfortable for everyone.
Weekly Poker Nights
The Card Lounge hosts poker nights every week, with a rotating focus on Texas Hold'em-style play and casual formats. Reservations are required for all poker nights.
Questions
No. The dealer will explain the rules of Texas Hold'em-style play before the game begins, and casual evenings are designed for beginners. No prior poker experience is required, and the dealer is patient and happy to answer questions throughout the night.
No. Poker chips are table props only. There is no betting, no buy-ins, and no prizes. The game is purely for the experience, and the restaurant does not facilitate gambling in any form.
Yes. Private table hire is available Tuesday through Saturday. Contact the restaurant to discuss your group size and menu preferences. The minimum group size is four, and custom menu options are available.
The Card Lounge is smart casual. Think dark tones, comfortable seating, and no need for a jacket unless you want one. There is no enforced dress code, but the room has a noir mood, so avoid bright colours that might distract from the table.
Booking
Reserve your place for an evening of offline poker in the Card Lounge. Tables are limited, and poker nights fill quickly.
Book online or call +61255504821. Email [email protected] for private hire inquiries. Walk-ins are welcome only if a table is free.
You must be 18 years or older to enter this site.
