Andy Lee shares exciting news following his engagement to long-term partner Rebecca Harding

Andy Lee has shared a glimpse of his latest project, which a little far from home and his usual comedy routine.

The Melbourne-born star, 43, took to social media on Wednesday to show off his new venture: a bar in the Big Apple with an Australian twist. 

Old Mates pub, which is set to host a pre-opening party this Friday, will be open to the public in a few weeks with the goal of uniting expat Aussies living in New York City. 

‘Old Mates pub is so close to being done,’ Andy wrote on Instagram. 

‘Here’s a glimpse of the outside,’ he shared, with a few snaps of the new spot. 

‘I just love seeing the footy through the window in the middle of Manhattan.’ 

Andy Lee (pictured) has announced he is opening an Australian-inspired pub in the heart of New York City

The pub hopes to bring together Aussie expats who are living in the Big Apple

Lee first announced his plans to open a pub in the popular New York suburb back in December last year. 

Taking to Instagram, he posted a slew of pictures with restaurateur Eddy Buckingham and Aussie café connoisseurs Nicholas Stone and Andrew Stone.

‘Super EXCITED for this!!,’ he wrote. 

‘After the last Aussie bar in Manhattan closed down during COVID, a few pals and I thought it was important to build a new venue. 

‘Aussies in NYC need a place to have a crisp cold Australian beer, to watch the AFL & NRL Finals, to cheer on the Matildas and watch The Ashes.

‘Old Mates is it. 170 John St, Seaport NYC.’

On a comedic note, he added: ‘It’s taken me three years to personally build this pub with my bare hands like Noah from The Notebook. 

‘If you don’t believe me, see the last picture where I’m clearly holding a drill*.’

Andy Lee recently posted a slew of pictures with restaurateur Eddy Buckingham and Aussie café connoisseurs Nicholas Stone and Andrew Stone alongside the announcement 

Old Mates pub has been three years in the making, Lee revealed on Instagram

This isn’t the first time the Aussie comedian has dabbled in dining. 

Lee launched his own portable food business called Dimmies and Tinnies in March last year.

He came up with the concept with chef Paul Donnelly, restaurateur Eddy and potter Sam Gordon.

Dimmies and Tinnies offer two flavours – spicy pork with spring onions and cabbage, or chicken and sweetcorn with kombu.

The veteran funnyman also shared a clip to Instagram revealing he would be selling the dim sims at a pop-up store in Victoria.

‘Huge dimmies and tinnies news! We are doing a pop-up down at the Mornington Peninsula this weekend,’ Andy began.

‘I’ll be at St Paul’s General Store. Hand me a dollar and that probably buys you a third of a premium dim sim.’

Dim sims are a renowned Australian delicacy inspired by Chinese dumplings and tinnies is Aussie slang for beer cans.

This isn’t the first time Andy Lee has opened up a dining spot. Last year, he opened Dimmies and Tinnies 

It comes after Andy recently shared details about his wedding to fiancée Rebecca Harding as they currently undertake a $5million renovation project in Melbourne’s east

It comes after Andy recently shared details about his wedding to fiancée Rebecca Harding.

The comedian revealed on KIIS FM’s The Kyle and Jackie O Show that he and Rebecca won’t be getting married anytime soon.

He explained they are currently in the process of renovating their $8.5million historic Melbourne mansion and haven’t had a chance to plan a wedding yet.

‘The wedding is something we have not discussed at all,’ Andy said.

‘We tried to start it, but I think it bounces between, let’s have everyone there and have a massive party.

‘Then we look at the cost of that and the fact that we’re trying to finish the house. And we’re like, “oh, maybe we’ll just sneak away by ourselves”. But it won’t be any time soon, though.’

Andy and Rebecca announced their engagement in May 2024, after ten years together.

He got down on one knee at the couples decrepit Melbourne mansion and proposed with a napkin – which symbolised how they met in 2014.

Andy and Rebecca announced their engagement in May 2024, after ten years together 

Rebecca and Andy went public with their relationship at the 2015 Australian Open.

In 2022, the couple confirmed they had briefly split for six months in 2016 after Rebecca felt ‘immense pressure’ dating someone in the public eye.

However, they soon realised they were meant to be during their time apart.

Andy and Rebecca are currently undertaking a $5million renovation project after buying a historic mansion in Melbourne’s east.