The Commons at Ormond Collective
This four-in-one St Kilda Road venue has a huge beer garden.
Ambitious newcomer The Commons at Ormond Collective has taken 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 ($22); a spring salad featuring seared salmon ($24); and a classic chicken sandwich with lemon mayo and shredded broccoli ($15).
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.
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.
Images: Marcel Aucar
NEARBY PLACES
SIMILAR CAFES
-
The Old Garage
2A Glen Iris Road, Camberwell
NEARBY EVENTS
-
Arts & Entertainment
Patricia Piccinini: A Miracle Constantly Repeated
Monday, November 8 - Sunday, June 12
Flinders Street Station Ballroom
BUY TICKETS -
Arts & Entertainment
It Takes Time: Ten Films by Frederick Wiseman at ACMI
Sunday, May 22 - Sunday, September 25
ACMI
BUY TICKETS -
Arts & Entertainment
Van Gogh at The Lume
Monday, November 1 - Wednesday, August 31
The Lume Melbourne
BUY TICKETS -
Food & Drink
Yarra Valley Rocky Road Festival 2022
Sunday, May 1 - Tuesday, May 31
Various locations around Victoria