Super Whatnot: An Urban Hotspot That's an Extension of the Street - Remodelista
Photography by Alicia Taylor. “Drink well” is the motto at Super Whatnot, a popular watering hole in Brisbane, Australia, set in a former loading dock and storage area. Come slip in for an inspiring lesson in using what you’ve got. Super Whatnot owner, entrepreneur Simon Martin, came to architect Angus Munro of Brisbane’s Marc & Co with a shoestring budget and asked him to keep the space largely as found. When the steel door is in its open position, the lounge becomes an extension of the street. Built-in banquette seating wraps around the sunken bar area. Three-legged stools do double duty as side tables and additional seating. White penny-round tiles face the bar, creating a fresh and interesting contrast to the existing brick walls. Bartenders’ aprons hang on Muuto Coatrack Dots of different sizes. There are three levels: The sunken lounge and mezzanine area are shown here. Reclaimed wood panels, outdoor furniture, and potted plants lend an outdoor-deck vibe to the mezzanine. Tiling walls with black hexagonal tiles is a low-cost way to achieve a durable surface with a high visual impact. On the outside, columns are wrapped in rough-hewn rope and the Super Whatnot logo is subtly branded on the raw steel plating. Super Whatnot fronts a laneway (Aussie for “alley”) and the exterior is a visual essay in urban camouflage. The bar is at 48 Burnett Lane in the middle of Brisbane’s emerging city center (see map below).