Lucky Bat Cafe
Lucky Bat Space started as a creative concept between directors and friends Danny Crichton and Justin Schmidt, but has morphed into Lucky Bat Cafe – an exciting cultural and creative hub.
By Tierney White
Set to open its doors this month, Lucky Bat Cafe is the northern suburbs' creative answer to art, food, coffee and culture. The interior decor brings about feelings of nostalgia, with bespoke furniture and pot plants plotted throughout. Almost everything inside has been recycled – including ‘Peggy’ the coffee machine which came with a missing leg – and the two directors recall the display fridge as the only new item.
“We really wanted to set up a space with awesome coffee, food and art, that feels quite nostalgic – basically everything in the cafe has been salvaged or recycled,” Crichton said.
“The chairs are original Polyside school chairs and the stools are from Nightcliff Primary School – we just made some new seats and finished them off with some neon colours, which we think is a very Darwin thing.”
Engulfing the inside of the front door is the isobar mural – a familiar sight for Top End weather radar watchers. Down lights illuminate a bare white wall, which has been left clear to display art.
“Our aim is to profile local artists each month – they don’t have to be established artists either – this is also for emerging artists, all artists,” Crichton said.
The familiar feelings the interior evokes flows out to the courtyard, where a 20 foot shipping container awaits its new role as a bakehouse. The handmade four tonne pizza oven stands proudly in its place, and teenage passion fruit plants are dotted along the fence. The cafe directors both see the cafe as a way of highlighting the beauty and culture of the area.
“We really wanted to create a space that celebrates Darwin – its art, its culture, its weather. We were really lucky to get this location in Nightcliff, surrounded by big, beautiful green trees. Our plan is to really celebrate the beautiful Dry season weather, so we’re setting up seating areas both in the courtyard and out the front,” Schmidt explained.
One of the greatest things about this cafe is that it feels like it’s been made with love. Nearly everything has been handmade, and staff and crew have all helped out with its construction. Even though it’s taken a while, the directors wouldn’t have it any other way.
“We know it’s taken us a bit longer than expected, but we’re really proud of it. It’s been like a big art project and all of our staff, friends and supporters have all contributed in their own way. It’s got a real sense of community and we love that,” Schmidt said.
Lucky Bat Cafe opens its doors this month. Want to check it out? Look out for the bat signal!
WHEN Tues-Sun | 7AM-2PM
AT Pavonia Place, Nightcliff
