A Step Back in Time – Frank Mac's by buck&simple

The historical venue of Frank Mac’s offers a multisensory experience for its owners and patrons alike. Appreciating its rich and storied past, buck&simple thoughtfully rejuvenates the space, crafting a bespoke and memorable Irish bar designed to transport visitors to a bygone era defined by old-world charm.

Located in The Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney known for its sandstone buildings, the venue is the latest addition to the building, which previously housed a boot maker, boarding house, doctor’s surgery and more. The most recent tenure pays tribute to the owner’s great uncle Frank, a larger-than-life character who frequented his local village bar in Ireland.

Shelves are stocked with antiques, and the main bar feels as though it is from a bygone era, with traditional stained oak panelling and painted, asymmetrical timber shelving to represent the passing of time.

The history of the building is beautifully intertwined with Frank Mac’s overall concept and design direction. As one steps inside the bar, they pass through a heritage shopfront before being met with an authentic rendition of 1940s Ireland. Shelves are stocked with antiques, and the main bar feels as though it is from a bygone era, with traditional stained oak panelling and painted, asymmetrical timber shelving to represent the passing of time.

The architect seamlessly marries the old and new by carefully integrating new design elements within the heritage framework to protect and enhance the historical fabric. The robust materiality and crafted stonework is protected through inventive design solutions, including freestanding joinery, protective floor layers and the choice to not insert fixings into the original sandstone walls. Additionally, vintage fittings are used on the second floor, such as antique brass pendants, which complement the more modern fittings downstairs.

The architect seamlessly marries the old and new by carefully integrating new design elements within the heritage framework to protect and enhance the historical fabric.

The materiality of the interior spaces evokes a warm and inviting atmosphere. This is achieved through a mixture of earthy tones and natural materials, with tactile qualities and splashes of colour generating intrigue. Dark American oak joinery is consistent throughout, creating a warmth that works alongside elevated materials such as dark velvet curtains, aged brass detailing, patterned glass and antique leather banquettes – all of which conjures an old-time feel and intimate atmosphere. The outdoor areas also feature a pair of vintage mural artworks – a nod to the advertising art of early 20th-century Sydney.

buck&simple’s carefully considered design makes the venue feel as though it has been inhabited for decades. Frank Mac’s achieves a beautiful coupling of personal and contextual history, transforming an individual tribute into a place that offers a unique, shared experience.