Now Open: OnAir Is Uniting Cafe and Club Culture in Cremorne with Daytime DJs, Coffee and Panini
Serving as a haven for house and electronic music fans, this DJ-driven space is combining club culture and cafe culture in a distinctly Melburnian way.
Exploring the meeting point between cafe culture and club culture, OnAir is a new music-led coffee shop that's opened its doors in Cremorne. Co-founded by Francesca Poci and Deyon Murphy of local events and artist management crew Selfless Events, this innovative space looks to redefine what it means to engage with culture and creativity in a distinctly Melburnian way. At a challenging time for live music venues and festivals, this spot is bound to be a welcome addition for electronic artists and fans alike seeking community and connection.
But don't expect all-night parties and wide-eyed chats in the smoker's. This daytime cafe offers a more chilled-out experience, where patrons are invited to kick back with a coffee — brewed with beans by Mount Waverley roaster Inglewood — as a revolving line-up of local and international DJs provides the ideal soundtrack.
"Over the past 18 months, we've noticed a lack of spaces in Melbourne that encourage creativity and connection and there is a need for different spaces to consume music," says Poci. "Australia is considered to stream the most amount of house music globally, and the growing number of DJs and producers in this country is exponential. However, club culture is dying and festivals are being cancelled, yet people are craving authentic and safe spaces to experience music."
Upon arrival, it won't take you long to see the thought that has gone into fitting out the space. Crafted entirely from upcycled, recycled and sustainable materials, the loft-style space was designed to deliver pristine acoustics for an excellent listening experience. Complementing the bright and airy interior are warm textures and tones, including Tasmanian oak flooring, seating fashioned from upcycled Australian hardwood, Douglas Fir timber beams and the building's original exposed brick walls. It's all been designed to, as Murphy puts it, "bridge the gap between traditional music venues and everyday spaces".
"Music is the driving force of OnAir," says Murphy. "From the bespoke Pitt + Giblin sound system to our curated in-house radio channels, we're providing a platform for artists to reach new audiences whilst championing diverse voices and artistic expression."
Complementing the music program is a tight menu of classic cafe fare, available for eat-in or takeaway. Expect smoothies made to order, freshly baked pastries, seasonal salads and organic Dench panini, filled with the likes of chicken schnitzel with rocket, Mexican lime salt and mayo; spicy tuna, jalapeños and dill served with fresh basil pesto; and chicken with American-style cheese, avocado and jalapeño aioli.
On your visit, you might just stumble into one of the venue's regular Espresso Sessions, featuring emerging and established DJs and producers from across Australia and overseas. Held after hours from 4pm, these curated events make the most of OnAir's limited capacity, with room for 60 people only. Every Espresso Session set will be recorded for OnAir's YouTube channel, so even if you don't make the list, you can still enjoy the tunes. Plus, with plans for a fully operational bar in the near future, OnAir will seek to push the boundaries of its music-driven space further.
OnAir is open Monday–Friday from 7am–3pm, with extended hours for special events. Head to the venue's website for more information.
