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Creating a Cocktail Destination in Windsor

Within the lively bar scene of Melbourne, point of difference is everything for bar fitouts. At Canopy Fitouts, we understand that, and we are aware that it's not easy to achieve this when you're on a budget. That is why we were so pleased to deliver a bespoke bar fitout – whilst still keeping it affordable for our client. Read on to see how we transformed a former hair salon into an elegant cocktail destination on the iconic bar and restaurant precinct of Chapel Street.

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Establishing a Point of Difference

The name 'Blackwoods' was coined from the existing flooring of the premises. For that reason, the design intent of this bar fitout was to draw on the dark elements of the space and create a sense of sophistication and moodiness throughout. This was reflected across the ebony seating, black marble benchtops and charcoal wall paint – all methods intended to create a luxurious feel while at the same time keeping the bar fitout cost-effective. Coincidentally, Blackwoods is also a subtle nod to the proprietor's family name, so conceptually this resonated with our client!

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Point of difference is always front of mind for us at Canopy Fitouts – especially when fitting out bars and restaurants. So to further elevate the bar fitout, we opted for details that would create a worldly-aged feel whilst upholding relevancy within the Melbourne bar scene – evident across the vintage light fixtures, subway tiles and art-deco-inspired bar front. This was also a choice that offered contrast across the bar fitout – where black was set against brass and dark elements were met with bright green hues.

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How We Ran a Successful Bar Fitout Project

With the majority of the commercial spaces situated on Chapel Street dating back to the 1950s, we anticipated that there would be challenges with fitting a bar into an older space. Understanding the tenancy condition and having first-class communication with the landlord was imperative to the successful delivery of this project. Prior awareness of plumbing and power/data cabling difficulties allowed us to plan ahead and address these before they could become an issue. Covering water leaks from the previous tenants and reconditioning the existing cabling layout – were all accommodated for during the build of this bar fitout.

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It is always so much fun working with clients to bring their dreams to life. We were given full creative freedom within the scope of their brief and we are thrilled our client gets to mark their stamp on Chapel street.

Heather McAulay
Interior designer, Canopy Fitouts
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2 Years Later — An Intimate Upstairs Upgrade

After two successful years of serving up Windsor’s finest cocktails, the crew at Blackwoods reached out to us again with a new project in mind.

Our initial fitout only covered the ground floor. Now that the business was growing, there was an increased need for spatial diversity. At the moment, the wine bar doubled as a live music venue and outdoor beer garden. Both spaces delivered different, enjoyable experiences but neither fully met the needs of their evolving customer base. Blackwoods was becoming the go-to spot for private functions, yet they didn’t have enough space to host large groups comfortably.

In response to the high demand for private functions, Blackwoods decided to expand by adding an upstairs private event space. Our brief was to create an intimate red velvet cocktail bar that would cater to these private events, blending seamlessly with the existing ambience of Blackwoods.

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Overcoming Structural Challenges

One of the initial challenges we faced was a structural wall in the middle of the floor plan. This constraint ultimately inspired the entire layout. We positioned the bar centrally, between the main seating area and the staircase, ensuring easy access for all patrons—a welcoming sight for guests upon arrival.

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Luxury Lounging Paired With Rustic Tones

The design was heavily influenced by the existing rustic brick walls. We carefully selected a red palette that would complement the bricks while achieving the desired intimate and classy lounge feel. By using a mix of mahogany reds for the ceiling paint and bar tiles, and brighter reds for the banquette seating, we ensured that pops of colour were integrated through varying tones.

The banquette seating was arranged to foster an inclusive atmosphere, encouraging conversation and social interaction; two essential elements of private functions. This seating configuration, combined with dark timber-look flooring, charcoal walls, brass accents, and black trims, resulted in an elegant, moody space perfect for spending an evening sipping cocktails with friends.

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Creating Memorable Bar Experiences

What started as a ground floor fitout evolved into something much bigger. As the bar’s popularity grew, so did the need for an exclusive space. By being creative with budget and embracing the vintage charm of this 1950s space, our team could design and build an affordable bar fitout without compromising what our client hoped to achieve.

Having the expertise of both our design and construction teams at hand, we were able to offer world-class communication across the entirety of this project. With this new upstairs addition, Blackwoods can offer an even more intimate and inviting setting for private events, enhancing their reputation as one of Melbourne’s premier wine and cocktail bars.

Speak with the Canopy Fitouts team for your next bar fitout – we don't mind giving you a little advice on cost, budgets, requirements, and timeframes. So give us a call at 1800 434 868 or email info@canopyfitouts.com.au and we'd be more than happy to chat with you about your new venue's needs!

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Let our team bring your business to life. If you are ready to revolutionise your space and impress your clients and customers, enquire below or call us on 1800 434 868.

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