Pirate Life To Open South Melbourne Venue

December 6, 2022, by Will Ziebell

Pirate Life To Open South Melbourne Venue

Pirate Life are set to open a venue in South Melbourne midway through 2023. It will be Pirate Life's first home on Australia's east coast, and their fourth in total, located near the iconic South Melbourne Market.

Unlike their Port Adelaide, Perth and Adelaide Sky City venues, this won't have its own brewery, but will instead pour beers from their vast Port Adelaide home, built after they were acquired by CUB.

Pirate Life will join a number of other breweries already resident in that part of Melbourne. Westside Ale Works have operated in South Melbourne since 2016, while Brewmanity are opening their brewpub in the suburb next year too. And across the border in Port Melbourne, the recently-rebranded CBCo produce the vast majority of their beer and run a taproom.

In a media statement, Pirate Life co-founder Jack Cameron says they've long admired Melbourne's hospo scene.

"The core range will fly the flag," he said, "while limited releases will be interchanged regularly to keep punters entertained. Punters can expect fruit sours, barrel-aged imperials, and a cheeky nitro or two.”

The new site is located in a former mechanic's garage.


Media Release

Renowned South Australian craft beer brewery Pirate Life has today announced its first Melbourne venue. Launching in mid-2023, Pirate Life (PL) will join Melbourne’s thriving hospitality scene, making it the fourth venue for South Australian brewers.

Located in a former mechanic garage in South Melbourne, a stone’s throw from the iconic market precinct, the venue will bring a unique personality to the city. Pirate Life will work with South Australian architect and design firm Studio Gram to bring the space to life. PL Co-Founder, Jack Cameron, talks about the new venue and offering saying:  

“As a brand, we’ve been long-time admirers of Melbourne’s hospitality scene and Pirate Life’s new venue in South Melbourne finally gives us a chance to be part of it, while showcasing our love for people, food, and beverage. With the area boasting some of Melbourne’s - and PL’s – cult-favourite brands, we can’t wait to get amongst it and show locals what Pirate Life is all about.”

Pirate Life Brewing was established in 2014 by Michael Cameron, Jack Cameron, and Jared Proudfoot. Today, PL boasts three breweries, with this being their fourth venue overall, and employs over 150 people nationwide.* Jack continues:

“As you might expect, there will be plenty of beer up for grabs in the new venue, with fresh kegs shipped directly from PL’s brewery in Port Adelaide. The core range (including pales, IPAs and stouts) will fly the flag, while limited releases will be interchanged regularly to keep punters entertained. Punters can expect fruit sours, barrel-aged imperials, and a cheeky nitro or two.”

The food offering will elevate the beverage offering, which will also include spirits and wine. Pirate Life’s ethos around food is grounded in being simple and fresh.

“We envisaged a rotational menu that explores the diversity of our neighbouring local market stalls and seeks inspiration from fresh and local ingredients,” says Jack. “We love cooking over fire, so anticipate charred goodness.”

Working closely with South Australian-based architecture and design firm Studio Gram, Pirate Life’s venue will have a huge amount of character and individuality.

“We’re good mates with Studio Gram, having worked together a bunch in the past. This is a great opportunity for them to showcase their skills in South Melbourne while adding another layer to the local hospo landscape.”

The venue will stay true to the grungy coolness of the former mechanic workshop, with updated interiors showcasing exposed bricks, polished concrete, artwork and murals, greenery, and bold industrial finishes to bring the space to life.

Along with quality food, beverage, and fit-out, Pirate Life’s ongoing love & patronage of the arts will be on full display - with mural activations, roaming exhibitions, live music, and celebrity chef dinners just some of what to expect in the coming months.


*An earlier version of this media release stated that Pirate Life had four breweries and The Crafty Pint has made a slight adjustment to amend this point. 

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