The Savvy Squire — Industrial-Chic Craft Beer Bar Furnished by RON GROUP at Melbourne Airport

The Savvy Squire — Where Craft Beer Culture Meets Industrial Design

Client: The Savvy Squire | @thesavvysquire

"The furniture had to tell our brand story the moment a traveller walks in — industrial, warm, and unmistakably Australian. RON GROUP nailed it."
— The Savvy Squire Team

Brand Background

The Savvy Squire is a craft beer bar concept under the James Squire brand — one of Australia's most iconic craft beer labels, owned by Lion Group. Named after James Squire, credited as Australia's first brewer, the brand carries over two centuries of brewing heritage. The Savvy Squire transforms this legacy into a physical space, offering travellers at Melbourne Airport an immersive craft beer experience before they even board their flight.

The venue's design language draws from the raw, tactile quality of brewing itself — corrugated metal ceilings, exposed timber beams, concrete surfaces, and copper accents. Every material choice echoes the craft beer philosophy: honest, handcrafted, and full of character. The furniture needed to carry this same DNA.

Client Needs

• Durable furniture suited for a high-traffic airport environment with constant passenger flow
• Industrial aesthetic that reinforces the James Squire brand identity
• Multiple functional zones: main bar, formal dining, casual booth seating, pool table lounge, and outdoor terrace
• Comfortable seating for travellers with luggage, accommodating varied dwell times
• Easy-to-clean surfaces that maintain visual warmth without sacrificing hygiene standards

The RON GROUP Approach

RON GROUP developed a zone-specific furniture plan that balances brand storytelling with the practical demands of an airport venue. Each area was treated as a distinct experience while maintaining a cohesive material palette of timber, metal, and woven textures.

How We Meet the Vision

Main Bar Zone

The central bar features a curved timber counter with concrete finish and copper detailing, paired with solid timber bar stools. The design creates a natural gathering point where travellers can watch their pour from the row of craft beer taps — turning the act of ordering into part of the experience.

Formal Dining Area

Deep-toned wooden tables and classic timber chairs were selected for the dining zone, positioned beside floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. The furniture's clean lines and warm grain create an elevated yet relaxed atmosphere — sophisticated enough for a sit-down meal, casual enough for a pre-flight pint.

Booth & Lounge Seating

The booth area uses black-and-white striped upholstery on compact banquettes, paired with rustic timber tables. Behind them, stacked metal beer kegs form a dramatic backdrop. Nearby, a pool table zone with timber stools and overhead sports screens creates a social hub for travellers looking to unwind.

Outdoor Terrace

Weather-resistant timber tables and chairs with market umbrellas extend the venue onto the airport terrace, offering an al fresco option that connects to the open-air travel experience.

Why Partner with RON GROUP

• End-to-End Supply Chain: From factory selection to final delivery, RON GROUP managed the entire furniture procurement process, reducing project complexity for the client.
• Customisation at Scale: Each zone required different furniture specifications — RON GROUP coordinated multiple product lines under a single project timeline.
• Commercial Durability: All pieces were sourced for high-traffic hospitality use, meeting the demanding wear requirements of an airport environment.
• Brand Alignment: RON GROUP's design coordination ensured every furniture piece reinforced the James Squire brand story — industrial, warm, and authentically Australian.

Project Results

• ✔️ Full furniture package delivered across 5 functional zones — bar, dining, booths, lounge, and outdoor terrace
• ✔️ Industrial aesthetic achieved with commercial-grade durability for high-traffic airport use
• ✔️ Brand-consistent material palette of timber, metal, and concrete reinforcing James Squire identity
• ✔️ Versatile seating solutions accommodating travellers with varying dwell times and needs
• ✔️ The Savvy Squire established as a signature dining destination within Melbourne Airport

The Savvy Squire project demonstrates RON GROUP's ability to deliver furniture solutions that do more than fill a space — they tell a brand's story. In an airport environment where first impressions are measured in seconds, every table, stool, and booth was designed to communicate the warmth and authenticity of Australian craft beer culture from the moment a traveller steps inside.