No 92 Wine Bar in Sydney’s Glebe by Pattern Studio

In designing No 92 Wine Bar, Pattern Studio preserved the historical essence of a rendered brick, late 1800s Victorian Georgian Building in Glebe. Past iterations have seen the building house a bank, tea room, antique dealer, boot factory and even a private investigators office. Now, the two-storey interior delivers the warmth of a cosy local hangout with a nuanced elegance.

“The building had a certain elegance that we really wanted to preserve and enhance. Fundamentally, it’s an immersive space that feels more like a congenially serviced private manor than hospitality venue,” says No 92 owner, Angela Kasimis.

Pattern Studio worked to preserve the spirit of a bygone era, resulting in a refined rendition of an intimate salon. Elemental fixtures include marble and iron fireplaces, restored ornate cornices and decorative ceilings. The downstairs dining rooms encompass Victorian references with minimalist restraint. An antique lace palette complements custom curved timber banquette seating cushioned with jade green leather. Cocooning an intimate dining quarter is an undulating mural by Taiwanese-Australian artist Angie Pai, the site-specific work depicting abstract landscapes.

Upstairs, conjoined dining and lounging rooms have a pared-back opulence, with plush vintage rugs, eclectic wall sconces and pendant lighting together with assorted marble surface finishes. A commissioned tapestry by Pai veils a theme of female bonds and emotional strength referencing the craft of ancient Nüshu, a secret women’s script that dates back to the 13th Century Hunan Province. Feminine flourishes communicate a tactile and inclusive tone.

Textured Venetian plaster and limewash wall finishes, hammered glass, antique mirrors and sourced vintage pieces add lustre and rich patina throughout. Elements including the bar’s custom metal liquor cabinet and wrought iron furniture in the cobbled courtyard were selected for their capacity to weather and age gracefully.