Prahran’s The Smith Restaurant and Bar will expand its operation into the building next door. The new space will make the venue more than double its current size and will feature an atrium with a German-designed retractable glass roof.
“It’s always been the same idea for us – we are happy when we are busy, and both our restaurants are always busy. We wanted to create a destination but keep it simple,” said co-owner Michael Lambie.
“We looked around and couldn’t find the kind of bar we wanted to hang out in, so we are knocking out the wall between our building and the one next door to create a luscious beer garden. It will feature a German designed, one of a kind retractable glass roof that will bathe the space in sunlight, winter and summer.”
Lambie opened The Smith five years ago with business partner Scott Borg. The pair also operates sister restaurant Lucy Liu.
“Michael and I met almost twenty years ago and worked together at Taxi a decade ago. Our core team have all been together since then. Our recipe is simple – we offer great food and drinks, terrific service and all without too much fuss. It is something that has worked for us for this long and we are looking forward to growing that with the renovation,” said Borg.
The Smith will trade as is until New Year’s Eve, when a last ‘end of year’ themed party will welcome the start of the renovation. Features of the reimagined space include ‘Smith and Chips’, a butterfly style bar serving both Smith and Chips and the open courtyard, headed up by chef and business partner Brad Simpson.
The expansion is planned to open by May 2017 with Melbourne design and architecture practice March Studio (Gazi, Lucy Liu, Jimmy Grants), managing the project’s design and fit out.