Street smarts ride and seek within this brewpub. Transforming a derelict mid-century corner brick warehouse, retained grunge elements were spliced with acidic colours, slick plastics and gleaming metals granting the multi-level space with a heady dose of CBGB’s anarchy spritzed with futuristic Pan-Asian flair.

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Taking cues from Atomic’s predecessors, Finishing Touches Restorations, (specialists in mid 20th century design whose services included stripping, staining and finishing furniture), the interior’s shell was deliberately left untouched, revealing exposed brickwork, layered paint and random graffiti elements. High chrome tubular stainless-steel finishes and tonal triggers now activate the belly of this beast.

Monochrome acts as the gluing agent. Nubby textured window borders and assorted newly built internal walls were dipped in a rich ganache of obsidian paint to unify the lower level bar space like a dense slick of oil. It transitions to a polished epoxy paint sheen (akin to a beer bottle) to cover the stacked brickwork defining the banquettes in both the bar and upper dining area, plus the datum lines of walls.

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The upper level’s modern Thai all-day diner glows with a fire cracker red shade. Upturned milk crates and generic hawker-style powder-coated aluminium stools are plushly upholstered for comfort and a striped bolster snakes across shared seating. Further teasing this Asian theme, the bar’s banquette cushions comprise bound tubular arrangements bound by belt straps, referencing Thai triangle backrest cushions. Covered in checked and spotted Raf Simons for Kvadrat fabrics (as are all Atomic’s soft furnishings, with shades taking inspiration from assorted Pale Ale, XPA and IPA beer cans), their textural complexity instantly elevates the industrial setting (the green and red seat bases of the combined banquette seating salutes the locals’ cherished ruby team, The Rabbitohs).

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