Description:

Set on a sprawling site on the edge of Victoria Park, Darling on Drake's original concept was to be an international and approachable venue.

A place where people would not only feel welcomed and connected to the space but also a venue where they could experience memorable, meaningful moments no matter the occasion, from a full-scale event of 150 people on our terrace with DJs playing until well after sundown to an intimate, three-course dinner for two. Both of those ideas and a whole spectrum in between can coexist within the Darling experience—sometimes on the same night. That is part of what makes this concept a new approach to hospitality here.

The space at Darling on Drake is a meticulous curation, inspired by the founder's experiences in cities like New York, Chicago, and Melbourne. This international influence is evident in the venue's blend of romance, elegance, whimsy, and conviviality. The venue was designed to offer several distinct but connected spaces within its confines, calling on Mitchell Addison and Jeffery Construction to help bring the idea to life.

From its sleek dining room, which features tones of crimson, black, and cream and offers views of Darling's terrace and Victoria Park, to its elegantly curved bar and the second bar on its sprawling deck, Darling on Drake is a visual delight.

From the understated delineation between Darling's restaurant area and its bar via a simple, undulation partition, to the way in which the venue's lighting changes from golden tones to red tones to separate day service from evening service, the beauty of Darling's design is the way it offers customers a different experience with every visit, depending on what time they arrive, or whether they sit in the plush restaurant or wander out to the sprawling deck overlooking Victoria Park.

Darling had to be designed in such a way that honoured its past while still offering something that felt inherently forward-thinking. Practically, this meant minimal intervention to the structure of the building, craning a number of our interior elements in and pulling the concept and execution together within a tight timeframe. Conceptually, it meant creating something timeless while still feeling grounded in the zeitgeist.

What truly sets Darling on Drake apart is its dynamic atmosphere. The vibe is always electric, thanks to its well-designed spaces and diverse and thoughtful offerings.