Standing proud on the lively riverfront precinct, Pony offers premier waterfront dining, leading function and event solutions and iconic bar with garden terrace boasting unrivalled views of the Brisbane River to Story Bridge.

The third Pony restaurant and the first to open outside Sydney, Pony Brisbane has inherited the brand’s honest, flavour driven menu, while the indoor/outdoor dining provides a distinctly Brisbane twist thanks to the city’s sub-tropical climate.

The 200 seat venue features a flowing and curious metal ribbon reminiscent of a horse shoe or the curved line of a lasso loop, that defines the space by connecting a series of bar and dining experiences with both city and water aspects.

The idea was to create a restaurant around the theatre of the authentic charcoal grill.

The food was also a major inspiration for the design, with the spirited chefs on display, and the maitre-d’s and wait staff providing the vital force that animates a dramatic scene. The restaurant features a number of dining spaces, with indoor transitioning to outdoor via an open, timber decked interior space. The result is a series of dining options, from open, communal spaces, to more intimate banquettes and booths, and the full dining experience at the kitchen.

Drawing from the art of the ‘farrier’ or blacksmithing, a two-metre steel ribbon winds through the space, implying metal that can forged and shaped like a horse shoe, capturing the poetics of production as a key part of the interior language.

The final appearance of the materials is as important as the process, retaining their raw first fix state: exposed brick, raw steel, rough-sawn timber, wash troughs and exposed roughneck copper pipework, combined with leather upholstered furniture.
Low level lighting contributed to the sustainability of the design as well as providing a moody atmosphere for the space.

The overall intent is to construct a sense of instant history in the space, evoking a sensory, emotional experience. At Pony this was achieved through the use of raw materials. The designer worked closely with the client to establish and understand their vision, balancing design with ambience, food and service. The builder and other ‘makers’ were also important collaborators, working closely with the designer to deliver an affordable solution that achieved outstanding design results.

The final appearance of the project is as vital as the original idea and all stages of its evolution; the restaurant was a process of discovery with the materiality. Imperfections were incorporated into the design and celebrated.

Acoustic lining was incorporated into a ceiling dome to dampen the sound.

Lighting was by Light Practice, with landscaping by 360 Degrees, concrete by POPconcrete and we used metal fabricators Shopsteel.