The Press 酒吧 | Merivale | 2026 | 澳大利亚
The Press, conceived by Justin and Bettina Hemmes, is Merivale’s new late-night music bar, occupying the bones of a former printing press and the celebrated fine-dining restaurant Est. Its past lives still linger, but under the guidance of Merivale design director Nasim Köerting – who led an entirely female in-house design team – the space has been transformed into something altogether moodier and more decadent.
Inside, Köerting and her team have layered eras and textures with an incredible eye for detail. Rich timbers, velvet upholstery and dramatic pink curtains meet pressed metal and mirrored ceilings and soft pink marble benchtops. It’s the kind of place where a Murano glass chandelier can comfortably live with a large disco ball and somehow it all makes perfect sense.“Every material, texture and vintage piece has been carefully sourced to build that layered, atmospheric quality,” says Köerting. And you can feel that, from the patina of the brass detailing to the warmth of vintage fabrics sourced from European markets. The lighting is equally purposeful: dim, warm, enveloping and entirely without natural light. After all, The Press is designed for complete immersion – somewhere to lose all sense of time.
At the centre – perhaps the best place to take it all in – is the curved pink marble bar, its surface glinting under the glow of chandeliers. Brass and bronze accents nod to the instruments of the resident band, which plays every night under the direction of Mike McCaskill and Nick van Tiel. The music shifts as the evening unfolds, from soulful early evening sessions to more energetic late-night sets.Everywhere you look, there’s something to be entranced by: patterned carpets underfoot, vintage artwork, curious leopard statues, the gentle sway of chandelier tassels, glimmers of mirrored light bouncing off glass and metal. The decor walks a thrilling line between eccentricity and elegance, where Art Deco meets contemporary charm.
Those in the know can book the Est Room, a private escape within the venue for up to 20 guests. Fitted with an original 1970s bar, plush pink carpet, mirrored ceiling, disco ball and karaoke setup, it’s a party-ready enclave that feels like slipping behind the velvet rope of another era.The drinks program, curated by award-winning bartender James Irvine, celebrates the martini in all its glory. Each glass is a statement, much like the pieces that fill the venue. Complementing this, the food from executive chef Dan Hong features sophisticated dishes like caviar-topped potato pavé, crab and uni toast, and fried chicken crowned with even more caviar.
The bathrooms are also greatly considered, with pink micro-cement surfaces lending a striking, cohesive feel. Tall mirrors and repurposed black bedside tables between sinks also give a sense of design theatre rarely afforded to these more discreet areas.Then there are those subtle touches that truly anchor The Press in the building’s history. At the coat check, an “Inquiries” sign bears the original font from the old printing press. It’s a small detail, but it’s a piece that perfectly captures the spirit of the venue, where memory and modernity intertwine.
Köerting’s vision for The Press is, ultimately, one of sensation and storytelling. The colours – pinks, blues, reds and browns, among others – aren’t only decorative; they’re emotive, guiding patrons through a narrative that is both nostalgic and avant-garde. Apart, the pieces might not work, but together, Köerting’s team has crafted a sensory feast.The Press doesn’t demand attention – it hums, glows and beckons guests quietly. Behind the discreet entrance, this Sydney music bar has found the perfect frequency – a tune of its own and an arrangement of space and detail that lingers in the mind long after the last drink is poured.
Build by APS Build
Interior Design by Merivale
- 转载自：The Local Project
- 图片@The Local Project
- 语言：英语
- 编辑：序赞网
- 阅读原文
|
|
