Inside A Historic Irish Pub Located in Sydney’s CBD

Frank Mac’s, a historic Irish bar, offers a multisensory experience for its owners and patrons alike. Appreciating its rich and storied past, buck&simple thoughtfully rejuvenates the venue, crafting a bespoke and memorable bar designed to transport visitors to a bygone era defined by old-world charm.

Located in The Rocks, the oldest part of Sydney, the historic Irish bar is the latest addition to the building, which previously housed a boot maker, boarding house, doctor’s surgery and more. Frank Mac’s honours the owner’s great uncle Frank, who spent his time at his local village bar in Ireland.

The history of the building is beautifully intertwined with Frank Mac’s overall concept and design direction. As one steps inside the historic Irish bar, they pass through a heritage shopfront before being met with an authentic rendition of 1940s Ireland. Shelves are stocked with antiques, and the main bar feels as though it is from a bygone era, with traditional stained oak panelling and painted, asymmetrical timber shelving.

buck&simple seamlessly marries the old and new by carefully integrating new design elements within the heritage framework to enhance the historical fabric. The robust materiality and crafted stonework is protected by inventive design solutions, including freestanding joinery, protective floor layers and the choice to not insert fixings into the sandstone walls.

The materiality of the historic Irish bar evokes a warm and inviting atmosphere. This is achieved through a mixture of earthy tones and natural materials, with tactile qualities and splashes of colour generating intrigue. Dark American oak joinery is consistent throughout, creating a warmth that works alongside elevated materials such as dark velvet curtains, aged brass detailing, patterned glass and antique leather banquettes – all of which conjures an intimate atmosphere.

buck&simple’s considered design makes the historic Irish bar feel as though it has been inhabited for decades. Frank Mac’s achieves a beautiful coupling of personal and contextual history, transforming an individual tribute into a venue that offers a unique, shared experience.

00:00 - Introduction to the Historic Irish Pub
00:31 - The History of Great Uncle Frank Mac
01:37 - Unique Aspects of Designing A Hospitality Project
01:54 - The Original Brief
02:15 - Art Work Featured Throughout the Venue
02:42 - The Earthy Material Palette
03:26 - A Refreshed Irish Snug
04:10 - Proud Moments and Aspects
04:27 - A Welcoming Community Space

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Photography by Tom Ferguson.
Architecture by buck&simple.
Build by Top Knot Carpentry & Joinery.
Styling by Frank Mac’s.
Joinery by Woodworx Joinery.
Filmed and Edited by The Local Project.
Production by The Local Project.

The Local Project acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of the land in Australia. We recognise the importance of First Nations peoples in the identity of our country and continuing connections to Country and community. We pay our respect to Elders, past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people of these lands.

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