Toby’s Estate Fitzroy by And Alpha

Slick yet gritty, Toby’s Estate’s new Fitzroy espresso bar by design studio And Alpha reimagines cafe culture with a sculptural, snake-like bar and raw industrial finishes that celebrate flow, form and ritual.

“Slick, yet unapologetically gritty” – these are the words that Sydney-based interior design studio And Alpha use to describe the design ethos for their newest fitout of Toby’s Estate Coffee Roasters. Nestled along Rose Street - arguably Fitzroy’s most quintessential spine - the new espresso bar explores form and flow within the context of a typical Fitzroy warehouse tenancy. After designing their flagship store in Singapore in 2024, And Alpha embraced “a similar ethos of raw authenticity, leaning on extant architecture and industrial finishes to complement the warehouse’s character and retain the brand identity,” says And Alpha director Sean Virili.

The standout feature here is the snake-like bar, weaving itself through the guts of the tenancy. To the peripheral edges, casual tables are placed along the existing brick walls that are painted in a matte black finish. The central bar holds all the workings of the cafe – from the point of sale, to coffee extraction and espresso bar – all the integral elements of a traditional cafe are embedded here. “We seized the chance to anchor the space with an open island bar,” says Virili, claiming it as “a utilitarian centerpiece that defies convention.”

“The plan’s strict grid layout and columns posed a challenge, as a traditional bar arrangement would’ve felt too traditional and constrained,” explains Virili, who wanted to “reimagine the traditional cafe layout by creating an ‘inverted’ espresso bar that eliminates the conventional back bar, [and instead,] fosters flow and an immersive experience.”

The central bar also cleverly integrates existing columns into its form, wrapping them with mirrors to reflect the cafe back onto itself. The large warehouse-style existing windows are also harnessed to flood the space with natural light, while contributing an industrial charm.

The space is divided thoughtfully into three distinct zones - each playing into the theatrics and rituals associated with coffee-making. The espresso bar, being what Virili describes as “the workhorse of the operation,” is centrally located. Tucked towards the rear, the filter bar is a more intimate zone that embraces privacy and quiet. “This breakup allows the filter bar to maintain its own sense of ritual, slightly removed from the main action, but still visible and engaging,” Virili explains. To the outer edges, seating invites visitors to stay and experience their coffee in-house. From here, various sightlines are curated, providing glimpses to both the espresso and filter bar, allowing coffee-making processes to be celebrated.