Odd Culture Group, an award-winning hospitality company known for its inclusive and diverse brands, food, and drinks, is all set to launch its first Melbourne venue in May. The unique iteration of the group’s Newtown venue, Odd Culture – a bar and bottle shop in one, is located on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, led by General Manager and Melbourne hospo legend, Gerry Nass.
The group’s concept-first philosophy focuses on creating welcoming and thoughtful venues that embody the principles of genuine hospitality. The upcoming hybrid bar and bottle shop will be located in a beautiful heritage building that served as Fitzroy’s Post Office generations ago. Odd Culture Group’s CEO, James Thorpe, said that venturing into Melbourne was a natural progression for the group, and they saw an opportunity to bring their award-winning Odd Culture concept down south.
Odd Culture Melbourne will be an exploration of fermentation, a natural wine and wild ale bar with one of the most extensive offerings of its kind, accompanied by a seasonal cocktail program of local ingredients and rolling ferments. Although it will be a different experience than the Newtown venue, the bar will have a small kitchen that focuses on bar snacks using high-quality, local and imported ingredients.
The venue will be run by Melbourne local and General Manager, Gerry Nass, who previously owned and operated iconic pubs like The Beresford in Sydney (pre-Merivale) and the Robbie Burns Hotel in Collingwood. Executive Chef, James MacDonald, who used to work at Meatsmith Specialty Butcher and helped set up the original Fitzroy store, will be partnering with them again to deliver some of the bar menu – think terrines and pates, as well as some of Odd Culture Newtown’s most popular dishes.
Odd Culture Melbourne will be a visual and immersive experience, where guests can walk through the offering of beer and wine, peruse the shelves and fridges throughout the venue, grab a spot inside on the warm comfortable banquets, outside in the beer garden set in a typical Fitzroy back lane, or take away to enjoy at home.
Overall, Odd Culture Group’s expansion to Melbourne will bring a unique and exciting experience to the hospitality scene in Fitzroy, showcasing the brand’s passion for creating places that represent communities’ values and the pleasure of good food, drink, and experience.