A haven for gin enthusiasts
Eileen’s Bar crafts a robust yet tactile sanctuary for local gin darlings, Four Pillars, set within a landmark corner building in Sydney’s leafy Surry Hills.
Built in 1939 to house Bussell Brothers tea company, the space is reinterpreted by Sydney based design studio, YSG, to include a gin distillery, bar and retail store – each celebrating the distillery’s much-loved botanical elements.
Components of the original building are thoughtfully restored, including timber beams and copper inlays on the ceiling, forming a strong backdrop for sympathetic new insertions. A predominantly neutral palette is offset by hand crafted timber elements and vivid blue accents – a tender reference to the distillery’s hero ingredient, the juniper berry.
The retail offering is located on the ground floor with primary street access and features a 3.3 metre high merchandise display, hand crafted from Australian red cedar and Cambria ash. A central service table continues this material logic, acting as an informal point of sale and ad-hoc tasting station. Above, an Endo Track Spot 2000TYPE is mounted into a custom feature rail, providing functional accent lighting with a high level of visual comfort.
Named after one of the co-founders, Matt Jones’ mother Eileen, the welcoming destination has become a favourite among locals and gin aficionados. A crafted yet approachable tone continues Four Pillars’ brand narrative, while responding to the unique conditions of the site and brief.