The Commons Is St Kilda Road's New Four-in-One Venue with a Huge Beer Garden

Cafes, pubs, bars and eateries across Melbourne have once again swung open their doors. But one venue in particular has also made its grand debut with ambitious newcomer The Commons at Ormond Collective taking over the St Kilda Road site once home to the Belgian Beer Cafe Bluestone.

This multi-faceted, mostly outdoor venue is the latest from The Big Group, which operates a suite of event spaces including The Glasshouse in Olympic Park and the Myer Mural Hall. Aiming for broad appeal, The Commons features an array of different elements set across its various al fresco spaces, including The Conservatory, The Kitchen Garden, The Garden Cafe and The Beer Garden.

Throughout, expect a heady mix of gingham and floral prints, bold stripes, fresh flowers and wicker, with lots of Euro-style cafe chairs and park benches setting the scene. In keeping with the times, you'll also find quirky lily pad seating positioned 1.5 metres apart and multiple hand sanitiser stations.

Marcel Aucar

There'll be slightly different food offerings available at each of the different spaces, though as a whole the menu's built around classic flavours, local produce and lots of ingredients picked fresh from the onsite kitchen garden. Think, crisp flatbread crowned with an assembly of confit artichoke, greens, mozzarella and edible flowers; a spring salad featuring seared salmon; and a classic chicken sandwich with lemon mayo and shredded broccoli.

You might settle in with some craft brews and a burger, or while away an afternoon over snacks and rosé. Coffee comes courtesy of North Melbourne's Small Batch, while house-made sweet treats run to the likes of salted pretzel brownies and an Italian strawberry love cake.

Marcel Aucar

Like any outdoor venue worth its salt, this one's also optimised for guests of the four-legged variety. We're talking doggy day beds, puppy parking and a dedicated food menu for pooches.

And, while all Melbourne events are still at the mercy of restrictions easing further, The Commons has tentatively started planning a roster of pop-ups and activations to grace the site. Eventually, you can look forward to the likes of market stalls, gigs, live beekeeper demonstrations and other creative happenings featuring here every weekend.

Find The Commons at Ormond Collective at 577 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. It's open 8am–5.30pm Monday–Wednesday, 8am–9.30pm Thursday–Friday and 11am–9.30pm Saturday–Sunday.

Images: Marcel Aucar