Mr Wilkinson

Mr Wilkinson entrance area and bar - For the fit-out Gordon used a variety of recycled timbers and timber veneers, black steel, and charcoal grey upholstery for the banquettes.

This weekend was a huge weekend for my partner Gordon - after months of hard work, the brand new bar he has been working on in Brunswick opened on Saturday night!

Gordon and his business partners Kitty, Jack and Robbie have had a huge few months - lots of early starts, late nights and legal red-tape to wade through... but I'm so, so proud of their efforts! Gordy designed the interior, and built the entire fit-out, with the help of his partners. He's built a lot of bar fit-outs in Melbourne, but this is the first he can call his very own!

The bar is called Mr Wilkinson, and takes its name from the ‘Father of Brunswick’, Mr Thomas Wilkinson, who founded Brunswick more than 150 years ago. According to our research, Thomas Wilkinson was apparently known as a generous and charitable man, having donated land for the area’s first Church, established the first local newspaper, and set up Brunswick’s first post office in 1846 in his own home!

I can't claim very much creative involvement in the project other than sourcing some fabrics and lighting etc, but one of the small contributions I did make was facilitating the current exhibition of paper sculptures by my favourite Melbourne artist Nicholas Jones! Nicholas' stunning installation of book sculptures will grace the front wall of Mr Wilkinson over the next few months, and then we'll rotate the exhibition, and feature different local artists every couple of months.

Do pop down and check out the bar if you get a chance in the coming weeks! I have a feeling I'll be spending a lot of time there... so if you see me - don't be shy, say hello :)

Mr Wilkinson
295 Lygon st
East Brunswick

Open Mon, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 4.00pm - late.
Sat and Sun 2.00pm - 1.00am
Closed Tuesdays.

Opening night! Top image - a feature wall of recycled timber floorboards is on the left as you enter the bar, facing Nicholas Jones' stunning paper sculpture installation on the opposite wall. Bottom image - black framed industrial windows face the bar area. Simple incandescent tube lighting designed by Gordon hangs above the bar. (photo credit - Willy Beecher)

More opening night madness!

Nicholas Jones' work, currently on display in the front section of the bar. All pieces are for sale - do contact Nick with any inquiries.

details details! Left - the outside area, which runs alongside the building, and features those fantastic industrial factory windows. Right - close up of the banquettes, and the recycled floorboard feature wall on the left. (photos - Willy Beecher)

Towards the rear of the bar, the toilet block walls are clad in jarrah, and the brick wall opposite is lit from below with floor lights. How about that saw-tooth factory roof? Love it. (Photos - Willy Beecher)

Mr Wilkinson exterior, bit blurry... but don't Nicholas' artworks look just perfect from the window?