Overview
Just a couple of weeks after Totti's opened the doors to its much-hyped Great Ocean Road outpost, another Sydney favourite has announced it's making moves down south. Odd Culture Group, the hospitality crew behind inner-city spots like The Duke of Enmore, The Old Fitzroy Hotel and namesake King Street venue Odd Culture Newtown, is gearing up to launch its first Melbourne haunt in Fitzroy this May.
The team has snapped up the sprawling heritage site at the corner of Brunswick and Johnston Streets, with plans to install a local version of its aforementioned Newtown bar, complete with a strong retail booze offering.
As the name suggests, Odd Culture isn't afraid to get a little weird and wonderful, which tells us it'll fit right in here in this neck of the woods. The group's earned a reputation for creating welcoming, experiential venues that are centred on top-quality food and drinks — and this Melbourne debut looks set to follow suit.
Odd Culture Fitzroy will have a familiar local name at the helm, too, with the role of General Manager going to Gerry Nass, owner-operator of the former Robbie Burns Hotel.
A bar and bottle shop rolled into one, the venue will be stocked with an easy-to-explore specialty array of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails, with an emphasis on wild brews and natural vino. You'll be able to browse and buy to take away, or select a drop to enjoy onsite, either settled in on the indoor banquet seating or out in the laneway beer garden.
Meanwhile, Meatsmith alum James MacDonald is taking the reins as Executive Chef, serving a menu of bar snacks that showcases Meatsmith goodies alongside some of the best-loved plates from Odd Culture Newtown.
Odd Culture Newtown
Find Odd Culture Fitzroy at Shop 1/296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, from May. We'll share more details as they drop.