Brick Lane Brewing has acquired the lease for the well-known Mercat Cross Hotel in Queen Victoria Market precinct, redeveloping the old pub into an exciting world-class venue and immersive beer experience, including a restaurant, bar and educational space. The space is expected to be completely open in March 2023, with some exciting pop-up activity in the meantime.
As part of the $450 million redevelopment of the Munro site on the corner of Queen and Therry Streets, the new Brick Lane Market will be situated in the heart of the revitalised Queen Victoria Market precinct, one of Australia’s top tourist destinations and much loved by locals.
Brick Lane Founder and CEO, Paul Bowker, says: “The redevelopment of the iconic Mercat Cross Hotel site is one of the most important steps in the renewal of the Market Precinct and it’s an incredible honour that Queen Victoria Market has entrusted us with bringing this to life. We’re thrilled to be investing in our ongoing relationship with Queen Victoria Market.”
“Since inception, Brick Lane has had community and inclusivity at its core and there is no better example of the Market which has focussed on bringing Melburnians together for over 140 years. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all Melburnians, visitors, and the market community. This will be the flagship venue for Brick Lane and firmly cement our roots in the hustle and bustle of the Melbourne laneways and community which was the inspiration for the brewery since day one.”
A two-level development of over 700 square metres, the venue will include a ground-floor bar featuring a large range of fresh and diverse beer styles, an upstairs restaurant driven by local market produce with an emphasis on sustainability, casual terrace dining, and functions and live music areas on the upper level.
The food menu will highlight seasonal Victorian produce, while the drinks list will feature Victorian wine and spirit producers and, of course, Brick Lane’s portfolio of beers including their Sidewinder No Alcohol and Sunsetter Ginger Beer ranges.
The latest venture will further solidify Melbourne and Queen Victoria Market as the home of Brick Lane, operating in conjunction with the brewery’s existing bar in String Bean Alley known as the Brick Lane Shed. The space will also increase the brewery’s opportunities to undertake significant activations, like its partnership with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival and Queen Victoria Market’s seasonal Night Market.
“The site provides a unique opportunity to truly showcase to Melbourne and the world the special role that beer can play in creating community and bringing people together. We see this as a real opportunity to bring the brewery and beer more broadly to life by creating an engaging and educational hospitality experience, where everyone is welcome. The opportunity to do this in the Market precinct where our first kegs were poured four years ago, makes it even more special” says Bowker.
Brick Lane has partnered on this project with leading design studio Techne Architecture + Interior Design. Techne works across residential, commercial, hospitality and retail projects and will deliver a space that benefits the Market, its traders, the public, Brick Lane and the food and beverage community in Melbourne.
Construction of Brick Lane Market will commence once approvals are received with the venue expected to fully open in early 2023 with exciting pop ups for the summer of 2022.
@BrickLaneBrewing / www.bricklanebrewing.com
Brick Lane venues include Brick Lane Brewhouse in Dandenong and Brick Lane Shed at Queen Victoria Market.