Erskineville’s Imperial Hotel has welcomed Sydney’s cult pizza brothers Joey Pepperoni and Marty McFly to its rooftop, providing a permanent home for the duo known as “The Pizza Bros”.
It’s been just over two months since Universal Hotels announced that it had bought the iconic Imperial Hotel for close to $20 million. The introduction of the brothers is just one of the first changes planned for the inner west hotel under the direction of its new owners.
Over the next couple of weeks, the Imperial says it will roll out enhanced entertainment experiences and reimagined offerings tailored to meet community expectations.
The announcement comes after the Imperial held its final weekly Lip Sync Heroes drag comp on Sunday.
Universal Hotels chief executive officer Harris Kospetas said that the group was committed to embracing the venue’s legacy while providing an elevated experience.
“The Imperial Hotel has always been a place where innovation meets tradition, and we’re excited to infuse fresh energy into this beloved space,” he said.
“We have some exciting changes in the works that will undoubtedly resonate with the community.”
But first comes the new range of leopard crust pizzas that will grace its rooftop, which Harris says will be one of a kind.
“The Pizza Bros are not just pizza makers; they’re a cultural phenomenon. Their passion, creativity, and connection to the community resonate with everything we stand for at The Imperial,” he said.
Joey and Marty have over fifteen years of pizza experience after working as the head pizza makers at establishments including Bella Brutta, Gigis and The Dolphin Hotel.
The Imperial will be their first permanent location.
The cancellation of the regular Lip Sync Heroes comp led to Universal telling GSN in a statement that it was committed to being a vibrant hub for entertainment and a “showcase for extraordinary drag talent”.
It said Lip Sync Heroes will remain a part of its program for special events.
ARQ’s Drag for Dollars has been put on pause until at least October.