Chyka Keebaugh Opens BIBLIO Cafe at State Library Victoria, Bringing History, Hospitality and a Little Melbourne Magic Together.
Chyka Keebaugh knows a thing or two about hospitality. Now, together with The Big Group, she’s bringing something rather special to State Library Victoria, with the opening of BIBLIO, a café by day and a private events destination by night.
Melbourne loves a good café, but when Chyka Keebaugh is involved, you know there’s going to be a little more to the story.
On Friday, Melbourne My Style joined Chyka, friends and invited guests to celebrate the opening of BIBLIO at State Library Victoria, and what a transformation.
For anyone who has studied at the library, spent hours researching or simply wandered through its beautiful historic spaces, this new addition is certainly worth a visit.
Chyka, who has spent decades building The Big Group alongside her husband, Bruce Keebaugh, was clearly delighted to see the project come to life.
“If you have studied at the State Library, then you know how much of a transformation this space has had,” she told guests.
And she’s right. The space has been given a new lease of life, but what makes it particularly interesting is how much of its history has been preserved.
Keeping Melbourne’s History Alive
Chyka was quick to thank Steph, The Big Group’s creative director, who helped bring the vision to life.
“We’ve kept a lot of the history through what was originally here at the bar and have replicated the surround. We also have the original images photographed,” Chyka explained.
She also spoke about retaining the original flooring, something that gives the space an authentic connection to its past.
With State Library Victoria’s history dating back to 1856, there’s something rather wonderful about enjoying a coffee in a building that has welcomed generations of Melburnians.
Chyka also spoke proudly about the library’s popularity, describing it as the world’s second-most-visited library.
Rather than creating something completely new and forgetting what came before, BIBLIO has embraced the building’s character.
And that’s what makes the transformation so appealing.
Chyka Reveals BIBLIO Will Come Alive After Dark
Of course, with The Big Group behind the project, it was never going to be just another café.
Chyka revealed that while BIBLIO will be open to the public, there are exciting plans for the space after dark.
“Yes, it’s a café for the public to enjoy, but we will also bring the space to life at night with private events,” she said.
Now that’s something Melbourne’s events industry can get excited about.
The Big Group has been responsible for some of the city’s most spectacular celebrations, from intimate private gatherings to major corporate events and the glamorous hospitality experiences we’ve come to know at the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Bringing that expertise into State Library Victoria opens up some wonderful possibilities.
For Chyka, winning the contract was another proud moment.
“The Big Group was delighted to win this contract in Melbourne, and it’s the final piece to our puzzle,” she said.
It’s easy to understand why. Few venues offer the history, location and character of State Library Victoria.
Khanh Ong and Chyka Keebaugh Share a Special Friendship
One of the loveliest moments of the opening was seeing former MasterChef Australia favourite Khanh Ong there to celebrate with Chyka.
While many Australians came to know Khanh through MasterChef, Chyka knew him long before the television cameras arrived.
Speaking warmly about their friendship, she revealed that she had known Khanh since he was a teenager.
Khanh quickly chimed in, reminding her that he was just 17 when they first met.
And here’s something you might not know. Khanh has been cooking in Chyka’s kitchen for years!
It was a lovely exchange between two people who clearly share a genuine friendship and a passion for food.
Why BIBLIO Is Raising the Bar for Melbourne Cafés
We all know Melbourne takes its coffee seriously, and there’s certainly no shortage of places to enjoy a good breakfast or lunch.
But BIBLIO offers something a little different.
It’s not every day you get to sit down for coffee inside one of Melbourne’s most iconic cultural landmarks, surrounded by so much history.
The café brings together seasonal food, specialty coffee and a beautifully considered interior, with The Big Group’s hospitality experience behind it.
What I particularly love about the concept is that it’s accessible to everyone.
You don’t have to attend an exclusive event or be on a guest list. Whether you’re visiting the library, catching up with friends or simply looking for somewhere new to enjoy lunch, BIBLIO is there for the public.
And then, as Chyka explained, the space will take on a completely different atmosphere at night when private events bring it to life.
It’s a clever concept, particularly in a city where hospitality is such an important part of our culture.
Another Proud Moment for The Big Group
Chyka and Bruce Keebaugh have built an extraordinary hospitality business over the years, and BIBLIO feels like a natural extension of everything they’ve achieved.
What stood out at the opening was Chyka’s enthusiasm for the project, her appreciation of the building’s history and the people who helped bring it together.
Congratulations to Chyka Keebaugh, Bruce Keebaugh and The Big Group on another exciting chapter in Melbourne hospitality.
BIBLIO is now open at State Library Victoria, Melbourne. Please visit https://bibliocafe.com.au/
By Melinda Sullivan.
