Raw Bar’s reputation as a beachside institution meant one thing—demand constantly outweighed supply. Every night, crowds spilled out, waiting for a table at Harry’s much-loved Japanese mainstay. Meanwhile, just a stone’s throw away, his equally successful daytime café sat empty after sundown. The opportunity was clear: a new concept that could extend the Raw Bar experience into the night.

The Brief

RND needed to establish itself as distinct from Raw Bar while still carrying its DNA. The challenge was to craft an identity that felt elevated, mature, and refined, yet still approachable—a place where locals and visitors could effortlessly flow from laid-back afternoons into high-energy evenings.

Our goal? To bring the vision of a Bondi-Japanese Seaside Izakaya to life through strategy, design, and storytelling that resonated deeply with the coastal-meets-city ethos of the space.

The Concept: Bondi-Japanese Seaside Izakaya 

Enter RND—Raw Bar’s slick side-kick. More elevated, a touch more refined, but still effortlessly cool. Inspired by hidden Tokyo laneway bars and coastal Japanese fare, RND is a laid-back yet progressive space where afternoon spritzes turn into late-night fever. The soundtrack? Vinyl bar classics straight out of Tokyo. The backdrop? Flickering black-and-white films projected onto the walls. The mood? Timeless, intimate, and buzzing with the high vibes.

At its core, RND is a homage to life’s simple pleasures—surf, good food, good company, and the transient beauty of a moment well spent. We drew inspiration from the cultural parallels between Japan and Australia, where surf culture and izakaya dining share an appreciation for impermanence, spontaneity, and deep connection. This philosophy shaped every aspect of the brand’s identity, fusing a futuristic edge with timeless elegance.

The Identity

The visual identity fuses a futuristic edge with timeless elegance, capturing both the raw energy of Bondi and the neon glow of a backstreet Tokyo bar. Ultra-vibrant electric blue dominates the palette, a nod to the ocean and neon-lit Tokyo streets. Futuristic typography gives the brand a forward-looking aesthetic while keeping it clean and understated. Bespoke graphics draw from Japanese fashion, culture, and design philosophy, subtly weaving in elements of movement and impermanence. The result? A brand that feels effortlessly modern yet deeply rooted in tradition—a space where Bondi meets Tokyo in a seamless fusion of style, sound, and experience.

Credits

Photography: Jiwon Kim