Rupert on Rupert has come a long way since it first opened its oversized industrial doors in early 2015. An original passion project of husband and wife team Ric and Mali Corinaldi, this lovingly converted warehouse restaurant stakes its claim proudly in the hospitality nexus of inner city Collingwood. Ric’s dream was to create a space that could exist in any city in the world, with an aesthetic that would entice both community gatherings and romantic dates alike; a sanctuary that guests would long to return to again and again.
While Rupert continues to project the mysterious allure of an undiscovered backstreet gem, once inside, the space is anything but unassuming. Full to the brim with an ever-evolving indoor garden, quirky vintage furniture, polished concrete floors, and a handsome alchemy of steel, copper and glass, Rupert hints at exclusivity but delivers an ambient and sundrenched warmth. The venue’s combination of cosy corners, communal tables and expansive spaces accommodates a whole spectrum of memorable moments, from intimate to ample in size, from personal to business in nature.
Central to Rupert’s appeal is its family-oriented hospitality: the desire to welcome guests with warmth and generosity into the venue, as if it is our very own loungeroom. Staff are employed on the basis of personality first and foremost – a big smile, an open heart and an eagerness to join a tribe of like-minded souls that sincerely love what they do.
Head Chef Darren Daley and his passionate team take advantage of a well-travelled skill set to showcase a Mediterranean share style menu that is both comforting and exciting. Honed by his experience on the front line, managing busy kitchens in London, Chef brings a no-nonsense and honest professionalism to his role at Rupert. His food speaks for itself: unpretentious, authentic and most importantly delicious.
Rupert’s beverage offering is inspired by a love of imbibing socially with good friends over great food. With a focus on local and family-owned beer and wine, and a back-bar that has been hand-picked from our favourite places all around the world, the Rupert bar is a seductive destination for weary travellers and aficionados alike. Stretch the boundaries of the palate with a signature cocktail from our vibrant and eclectic list, refreshed regularly by our enthusiastic bar team, or keep it traditional with a glass of red by the wood-fire. There are many ways to soften the roughest of edges at Rupert on Rupert. The wine helps. The thoughtful service helps too. The food brings it home.
The verdant beauty of Rupert’s plant filled Conservatory offers a truly breathtaking backdrop for a wedding ceremony. Evocative of an evergreen Cathedral, the length and grandeur of the space makes for the perfect wedding aisle.
With a transparent ceiling reminiscent of an outdoor tavern, waiting guests can bask in the beautiful seasonal shifts in light throughout the year, whilst staying fully protected from the unpredictable Melbourne weather.
Couples are welcome to engage a recommended florist to customise a bespoke floral arbour or wedding arch, or simply take advantage of the abundance of potted trees and plants that Rupert has in house to create a personalised ceremony space.
With no extra fee to have the ceremony on site, couples are encouraged to enjoy the convenience of hosting both their ceremony and reception within the one venue, removing the need to travel from one location to the next through busy traffic and risk breaking the magical spell that is cast during this special occasion.
The Bride and Groom (or any combination of the two) can rest assured that all expressions of love are more than welcome at Rupert on Rupert. Couples can trust their experience will be all-inclusive and hassle free, coordinated with equal parts exuberance and expertise by co-owner and Wedding Manager Mali. An incurable romantic, with a passion for creative collaboration, Mali chaperones her clients towards an experience that is as personally meaningful and unique as possible. Whether all the bells and whistles are called for, or something a little less traditional appeals, Mali and the Rupert team ensure excellence is delivered with heart.
Rupert on Rupert offers an unforgettable location to host your wedding. Whether the preference is for an intimate gathering, or a more opulent bash, this beautiful venue offers several exceptional spaces to celebrate.
The Main Dining Hall can seat a maximum of eighty guests for a shared feasting banquet, or up to two hundred for a standing cocktail style party. With its cathedral high ceilings braced by the modern beauty of criss-crossing steel rafters, the fit out pays homage to the best in inner city warehouse conversions. The space can be uniquely configured depending on the number of tables required, and has the flexibility to accommodate a dance floor if cavorting on the cards.
The Conservatory is the natural choice for post ceremony cocktails and canapes. Guests can mingle amidst the lush oasis of trees and plants that enrich the space, savouring the ‘outdoor’ ambiance with no concerns for inhospitable weather. Festooned with soft Edison lighting, this evergreen sanctuary becomes a starlit wonderland once the sun goes down.
The Cocktail Lounge, nestled to the very back of the venue, is an unexpected treasure. With its own fully stocked bar showcasing a premium spirit selection, this is the perfect haven for the wedding party to steel the nerves with a pre-ceremony whiskey, or share an espresso martini or two prior to dancing. Resplendent with the old world comforts of leather chesterfields, vintage lamps and mid-century cabinetry, the lounge also provides a luxurious refuge for guests to retreat to when good conversation is called for later in the evening.
