Have you got an important meeting later? Kid’s sports day? Trip to the dentist? Funeral? Forget it, cancel everything, because all you will be doing for the rest of the day is singing the Jean Knight classic Mr Big Stuff to yourself. It’s the name of, and creative inspiration for, a new restaurant and bar in Meyers Place, Melbourne, serving up Southern American soul food in a 1970s kitsch-laden way.

Techne Architecture + Interior Design came in to deliver the owners’ shared vision of a homage to American film and music culture from the era. With limited natural light to play with, the dining area has been kitted out more like a disco complete with a DJ booth to add to the experience. The venue only seats 53, so it’s a cosy little number, but full of neat touches like the foam sound-proofed wall and neon bathroom signs. Techne worked with graphics studio Can I Play, and the interior uses warm coloured lighting for ambience and utilises triangular fins that carry retro African American pop culture posters. All together now: “Mr Big Stuff, who do you think you are…”