The Oaks Bottle Shop + Take Away in Neutral Bay, NSW Contemporary Design, Australian Architecture, Images, Architect, Interior

The Oaks Bottle Shop + Take Away in Neutral Bay

18 Sep 2022

Design: Pony Design Co

Location: Neutral Bay, Sydney, Australia

Photos: Phu Tang

The Oaks Bottle Shop + Take Away, NSW

The Oaks Bottle Shop + Take Away creates a unique space that’s part bottle shop, part local diner – where the love of home-cooked food and local craft beverages shines through.

A homage to simpler times, the Bottle Shop references the past while catering for the modern consumer. Its old-school chippie meets bespoke retail offering, and it works.

Leveraging existing architectural elements and original detailing, retro furniture and powder blue and burgundy accents evoke the welcoming charm of an old school milk bar.

Rich dark timbers and hidden seating nooks inject a level of exclusive sophistication reminiscent of a speakeasy.

The inviting food area flows seamlessly into the clean, lightly industrial retail space—the ultimate go-to for brews and a quick bite.

A communal tasting table allows the pub’s craft beer curator to host regular tasting nights, giving brew fans a chance to try before they buy in a convivial setting.

How the space or identity responds to the retail offering
Home food delivery and convenience of takeaway food is a big market in the Neutral Bay area.

To tap into that market, the client wanted to redefine the traditional bottle-shop experience with a cellar-door-style tasting room and takeaway inspired by a mid-century milk bar, serving up fare such as hot roast rolls and grab-and-go dinners on offer, cooked to perfection in the cast-iron oven.

The space connects seamlessly to the adjacent revamped sports bar and garden conservatory restaurant, giving patrons access to an exciting and varied range of entertainment and dining options.

Why the project is an example of innovative and excellent design practice
This design – marrying a bottle shop and takeaway – responds to changing customer demands. It is a celebration of contrast, presenting a unified aesthetic of an elevated, sophisticated experience, while giving easy access to down-to-earth food and local craft beverages.
The concept of take-away draws patrons into the space and leaves them wanting more. It turns the concept of ‘one more for the road’ on its head, inviting customers to fill their bellies in a refined takeaway experience.

The design thoughtfully unifies previously disparate spaces, with the now open kitchen connecting the spaces between the garden conservatory, continuing the elevated experience as customers move from one space to another.

Client Testimonial
“The design has brought new life to an existing offering, enhancing our takeaway service by allowing patrons to combine alcohol purchases with home-made food packages. It’s meant we can deliver a more holistic offer with a new focus on craft beer—our staff now act as cicerones (beer sommeliers) to customise the experience to each patron.”