Odd Culture Group officially opened its doors its first Melbourne venture, Odd Culture Fitzroy, this week.
Located in the heritage building that used to serve as Fitzroy’s post office, the hybrid bar and bottle shop is an exploration of fermentation and will be Brunswick Street’s new watering hole for the weird and wonderful, serving up one the of the most extensive offerings of its kind.
James Thorpe, CEO of Odd Culture said, “We are so excited to finally open the doors and welcome people in. Our passion for the concept has continued to grow as we’ve gone about crafting the venue and the range of really special beverages and collaborations we’re able to showcase has increased too. It’s all about the enjoyment of everything weird and wonderful, and we reckon that’s something anyone can get around.”
Speaking to Bars and Clubs about the new venue, James said the new venue is fulfilling a long term ambition of the group.
“We see that area there in Fitzroy as being a spiritual home of Odd Culture,” he said.
“When we were coming up with the original concept for the bar and restaurant in Newtown, it was borne out of a trip to visit the grand old breweries of Belgium, and to explore this theme of the intersection between craft beer and natural wine along the theme of fermentation.”
“We are so excited to finally open the doors and welcome people in. Our passion for the concept has continued to grow as we’ve gone about crafting the venue and the range of really special beverages and collaborations we’re able to showcase has increased too. It’s all about the enjoyment of everything weird and wonderful, and we reckon that’s something anyone can get around.”
There will be some Melbourne-specific features to the new operation, particularly with the food and drink offering as James explained.
“There is sort of a new flair running through the venue,” he told Bars and Clubs.
“We don’t have a gigantic kitchen. That said, James McDonald, our executive chef has put together a menu of like fan favourites from Newtown – chicken liver pate with the miso caramel sauce and the house-made potato chips, that’s going to be on down there.
“We’re definitely going to be working with a lot of local suppliers – Meatsmith is probably the main one. James Mac [McDonald] earlier in his career, opened the original Meatsmith in Fitzroy, so that was a natural relationship to kind of pursue with this project.”
The 12 rotating beer taps will open with some rare collaborations including local NSW producer Wildflower’s collaboration with France’s Brasserie Au Baron, as well as Texan powerhouse Jester King’s collaboration with the iconic Belgian brewer, Brasserie Fantôme. The drinks list will also feature a ‘Victorian Stronghold’ page championing local producers and all things Melbourne and surrounds.
The fit out highlights the already stunning original features of the building complemented by distressed finishes, dark wood, brass and green tiles that feature throughout. A Melbourne Bitter mural adorns the back wall which forms the backdrop of the banquette seating, painted by Bodie Jarman of El Oso Negro Sign Co., a traditional hand painter whose aesthetic focuses on the bold and esoteric, and some remarkable ageing techniques which produce super nostalgic results.
The beer garden is set in the back lane, known to be one of the spots where renowned graffiti artists from around the world go to do their art, with big communal tables, picnic-style umbrellas, and room for DJs to set up and throw the odd laneway party amongst the hustle and bustle of Fitzroy.
Odd Culture Fitzroy opens today at Shop 1/296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy will open at 12pm Monday to Sunday, closing at 1am on Friday and Saturday and 11pm every other day.
