SODAA delivers a community-focused identity for Melbourne wine bar

Don’s operates on a refreshingly straightforward philosophy in Melbourne’s natural wine scene. The bar champions good wine, good food and good people as its foundation, creating a welcoming space where community naturally flourishes around shared plates and carefully selected bottles. Melbourne-based Studio of Design and Art (SODAA) developed an identity that mirrors this unpretentious approach. The design centres on a market bag illustration, rendered with deliberate roughness that feels authentic rather than polished. “We were looking for a mark that captured the simplicity and warmth of the bar’s philosophy,” explains SODAA. “Located just opposite Prahran Market, the idea of a market tote felt like a natural fit. It’s an everyday symbol of local produce and community.” The market bag serves as more than decoration across Don’s touchpoints. Hidden beneath each coaster, the phrase ‘People & Plates’ reveals the bar’s true offering – wine merely provides the starting point for something deeper. This quiet manifesto suggests that connection and conversation matter most, with the drink serving as catalyst rather than centrepiece.