Poodle Bar & Bistro by Bergman & Co
With the brief to become the ‘new neighbourhood local’ Bergman & Co took inspiration from Italian diners for Poodle Bar & Bistro.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Derek Swalwell
Photo: Derek Swalwell
Photo: Derek Swalwell
Located on the iconic Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Bergman & Co designer Wendy Bergman knew the Poodle Bar & Bistro needed to have authenticity. ‘The component of the brief that called for an ‘instant classic’ and ‘ready-made institution’ challenged us to strike a balance in mood, ensuring the venue feels elevated yet approachable, resolved yet not over-worked,’ says the designer.
In a double-fronted terrace facing out to the bustling street, the designers were tasked with creating space for 200 guests across dining, public bar, cocktail bar, private function, courtyard, cellar spaces and back-of-house. The brief was fulfilled by nestling service zones into discrete areas while working with a dark colour palette and textural materials ensured Poodle kept a lived-in, unpretentious design sensibility with rooms transversed akin to gallery spaces.
Inspired by the European bistro and the clients’ Italian heritage in both menu and suburban context, Bergman & Co also drew from the local surroundings for an authentic, site-specific response. Blending references to a classic Italian diner and 20th-century Aussie-Italian suburban experience through the Italian masters and modernists to Nonna’s Franko Cozzo sideboard.
‘These touchpoints were interpreted into a pastiche of Italianesque details and materials with the aim to imbue sophisticated spaces with a playful edge, crafting a beautiful venue that does not take itself too seriously,’ says Wendy.
‘At Poodle, we created a relaxed and lived-in feel by layering contemporary art, wildflowers and a mix of vintage pieces collected over many months – including a treasured collection of Poodle ornaments,’ says Wendy Bergman. Photo: Derek Swalwell
“The result is a classic bistro with playful inflections, differentiating Poodle from its established neighbours –a spirited addition to the Fitzroy community and beyond.”
‘The bars on each level are true standouts of the venue, and each have a unique expression. Downstairs, the 1930s-inspired walk-up bar, complete with a vintage clock, has a warm nostalgic feel,’ says Wendy Bergman. Photo: Derek Swalwell
The bar is host to several colour and material palettes that invite mystery and intrigue — dark timbers and leather, green tiles and marble bar tops, bluish-grey painted bricks, plus yellow velvet and gold finishes, to name a few! The designers wanted to blend design references for an eclectic feel, including quirky art full of personality.
‘Deep timber portals between the bar and dining room act as a conduit between interior scenes, establishing a contemporary chiaroscuro effect,’ says Wendy. ‘Luxurious velvet and leather upholstery is offset by cheerful chequered flooring, slatted timber ceilings and a gallery wall of contemporary art illustrations; a spirited nod to the youthful Fitzroy locale.’
This personality can be seen throughout the styling, with a large collection of vintage poodles adorning shelves, ledges, and bar tops. ‘We had a lot of fun with the detailing throughout, retro-inspired joinery is enlivened with angled timber grains, bullnose detailing, mosaic tiling and embellishments.’
The bathrooms have not been forgotten, and instead become features in their own right—a colourful array of green marble, geometric red sinks, and custom brass taps that reach out from the ground. ‘We design bathrooms as an experience in their own right – it is an opportunity to reflect the overall narrative of the venue down to the finest details and personal touch points.’
At its heart, the Poodle Bar & Bistro is a timeless ode to European diners with a Melbourne twist that reflects on its Italian heritage, contemporary art scene, and afternoons down at the local watching Fitzroy buzz by.
Photo: Derek Swalwell
