In an architectural sense, warehouse spaces pose as many challenges as they do potential. For most looking to create a home or venue, warehouses tend to require a huge amount of renovating, various installations and a whole lot of heating. But for Brendan Brogan and architect Chris Stanley, their latest project, Howler, couldn’t have found a better home than in a former wool store in Brunswick.

The latest addition to the suburb’s burgeoning food and drink scene, Howler’s enormous space bears the marks of creativity and functionality, with every last pocket of the building serving some sort of purpose. With the plan to eventually house a theatre, gallery and performance space, it’s safe to say that for once creativity has been given room to move. For now, there’s the offering of two bar spaces and a colossal outdoor area to help the Asian-style hawker food and vast beer list tide you over on your way home from work.

From the sculpted steel trees staking their place in the centre of the garden lounge, to the multitude of plants spilling from the garden beds – not to mention the floating planters acting as visual guides – there’s no better place to grab a drink and chow down on a bao pillow.

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Howler

Entry via car park on Dawson Street, opposite Brunswick City Baths (14 Dawson Street, Brunswick)

(03) 9077 5572

Hours

Daily 11am–1am (from June 12)

h-w-l-r.com