The Collective brings together superb food and drinks in an iconic, historic space where the atmosphere is warm, yet as cool as the retro-inspired decor.
As anyone who has frequented the area will know, the tall, rust-red doors of the heritage-listed Argyle Stores are an iconic element of The Rocks in Sydney. No matter what the era, there’s always been something exciting happening behind them.
In 1826, when the impressive cluster of interconnected sandstone buildings was originally built, the outdoor area just inside those doors housed some of Sydney’s first herb and vegetable gardens, to help feed the quickly expanding colony. A few years later the main building became a Customs House, and then around 1844 the buildings were used to store goods such as brandy, wine, tea, cheese, tobacco, flour and sugar.
It’s quite fitting that 180 years later, the bustling precinct’s focus is still on food and drinks, yet now with a more stylish outfit mixed with many classy nods to the past. The 1,800 square-metre space has been renamed The Collective, and it’s breathed new life into this popular destination that has an incredibly rich history. Oh if those walls could talk!
As soon as you step off Argyle Street to to the well-worn cobbles below those doors, the past blends beautifully with the present – the sandstone walls with small barred windows rising behind huge grass trees and and a smattering of crisp green and white umbrellas. It has a modern West Hollywood kind of feel.
Much-loved dining destinations, The Cut Bar & Grill and Japanese bar and restaurant Sake, are still there, but now the new venues on the block are also pulling in throngs of people seeking new places to enjoy fine food and wine teamed with excellent, friendly service.
The main venue in the restored 1881 wool store has been renamed The Dining Room, and it’s a refined two-level dining and bar space with more than 1,000 fine wines on offer.
The golden pools of light emanating from the dainty lamps on every table add to the warmth of the space, the plush velvet and leather armchairs invitingly cosy. Music fills the warehouse-like space, coming from the live performance booth that appears to be floating above the entry hall, open kitchen and wine cellar below.
Where some of the first produce gardens of Sydney once were, visitors will now find The Garden – an alfresco all-day dining spot that is a laidback, lovely place to indulge in a cocktail, snack, or a more pub-style dish. During the day it is filled with people enjoying the sunshine that spills into every corner of the historic space.
At night, The Garden is becomes a romantic place to enjoy a light meal and a wine or cocktail under the stars, the hustle and bustle of The Rocks a stone’s throw away.
For something more intimate and oozing with character, The Collective has embraced Speakeasy-style in the form of the Tailor Room – a dimly lit 24 square-metre bar where the cocktails are inspired by different fabrics such as denim, fur, cashmere and corduroy. They are as cool and creative as the burgundy panelled walls lit up from below.
Here you can sit at the bar and sip on something specially fabricated by one of the friendly mixologists, while the jazz music being played on the vintage turntable adds to the awesome vibes.
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