Address: 32 Burton St, Darlinghurst
The Commons concept was first imagined as a temporary 3 month “pop-up” bar/eatery; an advertising and marketing campaign in affiliation with the Fosters Groups’ brew Pure Blonde.
First known as The Pond, it was developed and designed by a group of friends from Right Angle Studios, who had previously popped up The Pond in Melbourne, their intention for both was to find derelict and ugly spaces and rejuvenate them to create an inner-urban oasis. It opened in November 2009 with a scheduled pop-down date of January 31st 2010, per the conditions with Pure Blonde sponsorship. It was then re-opened with a name change in February 2010, under the management of Right Angle Studios.
Located on Burton Street, parallel to infamous Oxford Street, yet away from the craziness of nearby Dr. Pong, The Gaff and The Colombian. It occupies a 160 year-old sandstone cottage, once an Italian restaurant left abandoned and empty for a good few years before Fosters Group and Right Angle Studios recreated the entire interior.
The rooms are fitted out with the uniformed eco-friendly recycled wooden furniture, creating simple clean lines against the ruggedness of the sandstone bricks which are further softened by the silhouette lighting and (sometimes) flaming fireplace, creating a warm atmosphere that flows into each area of the bungalow.
Sandwiched between 2 towering terraces, the fit out, particularly the hanging plant adorned front courtyard is a nice welcome to the surrounding concrete and glass structures.
During the day, patrons can opt to sit in the front courtyard, the main dining hall or amongst the plants in the downstairs courtyard garden. Each area is well lit by the suns rays that filter in through open doors, frosted shelter, or the cornice framed tungsten tubes and low hanging lamps.
Patrons are a mix of hip 20, 30, 40+ something locals / walk-ins drawn by the cuteness of the front courtyard / foodies who appreciate the simple yet delicate flavours from the menu / coffee aficionados / or those who have heard of The Ponds, but have never experienced The Commons.
Once inside, the choice of where to sit is simply based on the weather. The ambience is calm as music filters softly through the speakers, tunes of alternative indie pop and old classics float throughout the bungalow, and the smell of coffee and surrounding foliage floats throughout the space.
Front Courtyard: fitted with hanging plants, tall commune bench-tops, stools, and the coffee cart, with an abundance of natural light.
Main Dining Hall: commune tables with long benches, stools, draping plants suspended from the ceiling and simple arranged small vases sit at each table, chalkboard menu changed daily in accordance with produce sourced for the day at local markets, random pieces of art, and a hole in the wall for bill paying.
A home away from home type setting, sitting in this bright and open courtyard you forget you are in the middle of Australia's busiest city.
The Den: stools, retro chairs, a long dark bar, book shelf with accompanying music and book collection for everyone to enjoy.
Images by Jennifer and sourced from http://www.thecommons.com.au
