Quirky. Fun. Convenient. The Aviary is the long-awaited, two-level restaurant/bar/rooftop garden with a capacity for over 600 people from the successful The Publican Group (think The George, The Byrneleigh) in Perth’s One40William development.
This new hotspot was designed by HASSELL in collaboration with Habitat One and has a strong bird theme (Aviary – get it!) with a hummingbird pattern on carpet, custom bird wallpaper from Scandinavian Wallpaper & Decor, taxidermy birds, birdcages in a stairwell and even a ‘Peck Like a Bird’ (tapas) menu option.
According to co-owner John Ahern, the brief was to keep it simple while maintaining the detail for which the successful group’s other venues are renowned, plus include a rooftop playground for adults.
“The Aviary has a soft, feminine, fun-loving feel, so we have used a lot of rounded walls and rounded bars. Across two levels, we wanted the lounge bar and Bird Cage Restaurant located on level one to be very chic, sophisticated and loungey; while we wanted the rooftop bar (The Nest) to play on the openness, while being versatile. We also wanted a bowling green on the roof,” says John.
“Perth has such amazing weather, but there are very limited rooftop bars in the city. Melbourne has hundreds of rooftop bars, but their weather is not as good as WA’s! We wanted to take advantage of that.”
Co-owner Steve Garcia sourced furniture from all over the world – “His aim is to have things that people don’t see in a shop and are unique to the venue; the stuffed peacock was found in a back street in Melbourne” – while materials include Perth’s iconic jarrah on the roof, sheer curtains on floor-to-ceiling windows, marble bars and Astroturf on the roof and in a lift.
Positioned in the One40William development above the city’s underground train station (cnr Murrary Street Mall and William Street), The Aviary is in a prime location for corporates and shoppers.
“It is a unique venue and due to the large number we can accommodate and the different elements we offer through the different levels, it gives people the opportunity to relax in the heart of Perth. For example, if people are shopping and looking for a bite and a drink, then we are located perfectly for them; if corporates want to have a business lunch/dinner or a post-work drink while not being too serious, we have that option, too. We really do have something for everyone,” says John.
Open Monday-Saturday, 11am-midnight; Sunday, 11am-10pm.
The Aviary
HASSELL
hassellstudio.com
Habitat One