By Tom Mark Henry
STRIPPED BACK, IRREVERENT & RULE BREAKING
Reinventing the perception of the steakhouse as a place of opulence and excess.
Influenced by London’s East End, the interiors celebrate the brutalist and utilitarian. Our journey started with the venue's playlist, featuring old UK Grime. We drew inspiration from the distinct identity of UK Grime culture, incorporating elements of streetwear, graffiti, and a raw, unpolished aesthetic that defines Alfie’s. We chose to celebrate materials often overlooked, opting for innovative, inexpensive materials for cladding, creating a uniquely captivating venue. Commonplace materials like Blueboard, stainless steel and fibreboard are hero-ed alongside stone and commissioned pieces by Melbourne based artist Steven John Clark and local artists who've crafted exclusive works for the venue. These artists infuse an urban and dynamic vibe into the venue, setting it apart. Art is displayed hanging from scaffolding on raw canvas, adding warmth to our monochromatic bar, whilst serving as a draw from the street.
In contrast to traditional steakhouse experiences, Alfie’s reimagines dining. We challenge preconceptions by melding urban artistry with a working-class aesthetic. Our approach invites guests to savour not only the cuisine but also the raw, unfiltered beauty of the materials around them.
Tom Mark Henry was founded in 2014, bringing together a highly skilled team with backgrounds and degrees in interior architecture and design. Based in Darlinghurst, Sydney, our dynamic studio is increasingly active in hospitality, retail, workspace and residential projects. We offer a full scope of services from interior design through to completion of build.
Our team is passionate and expressive. We always take a genuine and original approach to our work and love to collaborate with our clients to allow their story to guide the design. Our studio has been recognised locally and internationally, with a number of project wins and commendations. This includes the World Interiors News Awards, Australian Interior Design Awards, Eat Drink Design Awards, Interior Design Excellence Awards and Restaurant and Bar Design Awards. Tom Mark Henry were recently named as one of Australia's top 25 Interior Designers by Vogue Living in 2021.