It’s been an exciting year so far for Melbourne’s beer enthusiasts. Not only has the city’s first rooftop brewery bar just swung open its doors, we’ve also seen the Bodriggy crew transform an old Collingwood pub, development begin for Moondog's Wild West-themed drinking playground in Footscray, and now the launch of an energetic restaurant and beer hall from one of the nation’s most beloved craft beer brands, Pirate Life. Hurrah, mateys!
The award-winning Aussie brewery opened the doors to its new venue on March 14 – its fourth across Australia and its very first on Victorian soil – just a stone's throw away from the South Melbourne Market. Housed in a former mechanics’ garage, the space holds capacity for around 220 people and is designed to be a welcoming gathering spot where folks can enjoy the brand's beloved craft ales alongside equally crafty dishes.
Highlights of the menu include pickled octopus carpaccio, raw bonito with burnt lemon, smoked goat spring rolls and low and slow-cooked asado ribs. It's the type of place you can drop in for a couple of light snacks or settle in for a heavier affair – with great beers to match, of course.
Pirate Life hand-picked Maria Delengas and Nicolas Lopez as the head chefs, both of whom have leveraged their own South American and Greek heritage (as well as Melbourne's diverse cultural landscape) to craft a menu that's a bit more thrilling than your average brewpub fare.
“The menu reflects the food that we enjoy eating and we’re so lucky that given our location we’re able to get most of our produce locally from South Melbourne Market,” Delengas said.
An express lunch menu will be available during the day, where you can stop in for eats like a fried bug sando with pickled jalapeno and aioli, lasagne or Pirate Life-battered fish tacos. On the beer front, all kegs have been shipped directly from Pirate Life's South Australian brewery, and you'll be able to get your hands around limited edition brews like the venue-exclusive Market Street Lager and the Vanilla Malt Thickshake IPA.
“We don’t just pour and pass in our venues, we’re obsessed with what we brew and have been since day one," said Pirate Life brand experience manager Matty O’Callaghan. "Our crew are passionate about finding the perfect beer for every individual who walks through the door, and, better yet, which one will take their food experience to the next level. Pirate Life’s tap list runs deep, and it’s our privilege to take punters on an explorative journey through flavours and styles. It’s just something we love to do.”
With a live music program and future guest chef dinners in the works, we can't wait to see how Pirate Life's new baby evolves. Our pint glasses are at the ready. For more details, check out the website.