Brick Lane Brewery’s newest addition, Brick Lane Market, is set to open at the end of November - creating a new drinking and dining destination in the heart of the Queen Victoria Market (QVM) precinct.
The doors will open on the first floor of the historic Brick Lane Market, at the former site of the Mercat Cross Hotel on Wednesday 29 November, coinciding with QVM’s Summer Night Market. This is symbolic of Brick Lane’s ongoing and successful relationship with QVM and completes the vision the founders of Brick Lane Brewing had when first embarking on their brewing venture in 2018.
Paul Bowker, Founder and CEO of Independent Melbourne based Brick Lane Brewing, said that Brick Lane’s spiritual home has always been the Queen Victoria Market, since tapping their first keg there 5-years ago at the famous Winter Night Market.
Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around Melbourne here.
“Taking over an historic hospitality venue, in the heart of the QVM precinct was the perfect opportunity to continue to grow our presence as a key part of the local QVM and City of Melbourne community. Community and inclusivity are at the heart of what has driven the design, development and offering of the final piece of our Brick Lane puzzle – Brick Lane Market Upstairs.”
“The historic site of the former Mercat Cross Hotel has been transformed into a veritable celebration of beer, highlighting its rightful role in all occasions – from an after work beer on the terrace, to lunching on market sourced produce in the dining room, or for a quick visit to sample freshly shucked oysters and fine beers seated at the Raw Bar within the Brick Lane Market venue.”
“Brick Lane Market will serve a rotating list of super fresh and delicious beers, brewed in Melbourne with passion and love from our team at the Brick Lane Brewery, which was recently crowned Champion Large Australian Brewery.” The beers will be served by our highly trained beer professionals, in a space that provides an opportunity to showcase beers, alongside the freshest produce that QVM and Victoria has to offer” said Paul.
Brick Lane Market will feature a 150-seat terrace overlooking the happenings of QVM, alongside a 120-seat dining room, an open kitchen (with accessible level seating) and a 16-seat private dining room.
Another highly anticipated feature is the Raw Bar, which will serve fresh oysters and seafood sourced directly from QVM’s brand new Food Hall, located directly across the street.
Brick Lane Market sits atop the ground floor bar (opened earlier this year), which will continue to showcase Brick Lane beer at the ‘Kitchen Bench’ style tastings bar – including an accessible height bar – resulting in a one-stop-shop for QVM shoppers to sip on a beer, socialise or grab a bite to eat, before or after their weekly shop.
The menu, overseen by Ankit Padmani (ex-Indu, Mejico and Collins Quarter) will follow a philosophy of market-to-plate, ensuring only the freshest, seasonal ingredients from the QVM are served to guests. Specials will evolve daily depending on what’s available in the precinct and what’s in-season. Further menu details will be announced ahead of the opening date.
The super fresh beers on offer will flow from 36 taps within the venue and include core favorites such as One Love Pale Ale and Hi Fi Dry Zero Carb Japanese Lager. The beer list will be curated not only from the Brick Lane core and seasonal ranges, but also feature bespoke one-off “Pilot Batches”, including beers inspired by and exclusive to QVM. In addition, the venue will showcase drinks with a strong Melbourne and Victorian influence, with spirits such as Starward, Little Lon Distilling, Saint Felix, Kilderkin Distillery and White Possum. Along with wines from wineries such as Moorooduc, Noisy Ritual, Payton and Jones, Giamarino, Lethbridge and Billy Button.
CEO of Queen Vic Market, Matt Elliott confirmed the QVM’s support for this exciting opening.
“Queen Vic Market is excited to be expanding our collaboration with the Brick Lane Brewing team and welcoming Brick Lane Market to our growing family of traders right on the Market’s doorstep.
“The new dining destination adjacent to Queen Vic Market will further foster relationships between our traders and Melbourne’s burgeoning restaurant scene with produce sourced directly from the Market, helping support a number of small, independent businesses “, said Matt.
Brick Lane Market Upstairs will officially open on Wednesday 29 November. It will be open from 11:30am until late 7-days a week. Further information on the opening week’s specials will be shared ahead of opening.
For more info, head here.
