Hospitality Spotlight – Sydney

Atomic Beer Project by YSG

Harnessing the studio’s refreshingly offbeat design approach, YSG has transformed a derelict mid-century brick warehouse in Redfern into a mesmerising craft beer experience for Gage Roads. The interior’s shell was deliberately left untouched, revealing exposed brickwork, layered paint and graffiti, while YSG’s energetic stamp of acidic colour, neon lighting and gleaming metals jolt the interiority into a new realm. Contemporary furniture and lighting and custom pieces designed by YSG contribute to the intensely cool surrounds of this brewpub.

Cucina Porto by Tom Mark Henry

Stepping into Cucina Porto for a drink or dinner is akin to visiting a friend’s artfully detailed home for the evening. Designed by Tom Mark Henry, the space subtly references a residential context through open shelves dotted with objects, intimate pockets to eat and drink, considered lighting choices and a selection of indoor plants. Above all, the feeling is soothing; the palette is defined by neutral hues with splashes of richer tones, brass accents and a stepped-in Palladiana stone floor. Elevated in its details and inviting in its contemporary sensibilities, Cucina Porto is a place designed for lingering.

CicciaBella Parramatta by Fiona Lynch

There’s a distinctly urban aesthetic at contemporary Italian diner CicciaBella Parramatta by Fiona Lynch. The interiors reference materials found in traditional trattorias – think natural stone, dark timber and leather – but with a refreshing, raw edginess. Woven rattan and blonde timber are balanced by unpainted besser blocks, galvanised steel and concrete columns etched by graffiti artist Benzo. Settle into a booth for dinner, perch at the chiselled bluestone bar or find an intimate spot for a cocktail and revel in the patina-heavy, streetstyle spirit of this eatery.

Frank Mac’s by Buck & Simple

This heritage building in the heart of The Rocks has been a boot maker, a boarding house and an opium dealer since the 1840s. Now it’s Frank Mac’s, a cosy and welcoming bar brimming with character, designed by Buck & Simple.Paying homage to the building’s rich history, the design boasts original sandstone walls, custom American oak joinery, leather banquettes, vintage curios and aged brass detailing. Striving to protect this heritage, Buck & Simple cleverly inserted all new design elements into the original framework, allowing this bar to celebrate the patina of time.

Bar Sopra by Guru Projects

Colour, richly detailed materials and lush fabrics converge at Bar Sopra in Potts Point. This charming venue is Guru Projects’s interpretation of a Spanish bar; it’s brimming with energy thanks to its playful materiality and proximity to the street. Large windows and doors blur the boundaries between inside and out, ushering guests inside with familiarity and ease. Bright artworks dot the rendered walls alongside a palette of velvet, honey-toned timbers, terrazzo and cobblestones, creating a vibrant and characterful interior.

This Spotlight feature originally appeared in the inaugural issue of The Commercial Project. Spotlight features aim to shine a light on a curated selection of people and places under a certain banner – be it projects within the hospitality sector or architects pioneering sustainable practices. These features are short, sharp and easily digestible.