Odd Culture

Odd Culture, a mainstay in Sydney’s most happening district of Newtown, is extending its wings and flying down to Melbourne to set up shop. The Old Culture group, whose venues have gradually augmented from their King Street domain to become dotted all over Sydney, decided there was no better place for their next opening than in Fitzroy’s Brunswick Street, and they’re not wrong. Fitzroy has always been a neoteric epicentre of food, drinks, and hospitality, and Odd Culture decidedly prioritises all those things. 

With space for 300 throughout the bar, bottleshop and beer garden, the new hybrid venue takes up residency in the iconic heritage building of the former Fitzroy Post Office. 

Although it has less of a restaurant focus than the Sydney-side locations, quality food will be no less important. There’ll be a small kitchen attached with its attention upon bar snacks and small plates, accented by first-rate ingredients, both local and imported. From a Baker Bleu baguette lathered with cultured butter from St Davids Dairy to cold cuts from Meatsmith to plates of terrines, cheeses and more.

Fermentation is at the forefront —Odd Culture will be a natural wine and ale bar with an extensive selection to pick and choose from, not to mention a seasonal cocktail list. The bar features 12 taps that will rotate an array of different beers, starting with a few ales from global collabs including NSW's own Wildflour and France's Brasserie Au Baron to more local Victorian producers. 

With customers aided by the team’s expertise, it’s designed to be more immersive than most places - instead of merely glancing at a menu, you’ll be encouraged to browse the offerings by looking through the shelves and fridges yourself.

When deciding to expand, settling down in Melbourne was a no-brainer. “In a lot of ways, Melbourne is a spiritual home of Odd Culture; the original concept for the Newtown venue was born out of a trip to the grand old breweries of Belgium – but also in part inspired by the small bar and bottle shops of Melbourne,” says Odd Culture Group CEO James Thorpe.

“The hybrid bar and bottle shop model is really difficult to pull off in New South Wales… We’re constantly delighted at the level of freedom in Melbourne which empowers venues to operate in a more human-engaged and flexible way.”

Odd Culture opens on Wednesday 6 July at 296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Find out more over here. 

Image credit: Odd Culture (supplied)