Today, Melbourne-based brewing company Brick Lane opens the doors to the second stage of its new drinking and dining destination in Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market (QVM) precinct.
Situated at the former site of the Mercat Cross Hotel, the new indoor-outdoor space sits atop the downstairs bar, also called Brick Lane Market, which will continue to showcase the portfolio of Brick Lane beers at a kitchen bench style tasting bar.
Brick Lane Market Upstairs will comprise a 150-seat terrace overlooking the city, a 120-seat dining room, an open kitchen and a 16-seat private dining room.
Paul Bowker, Founder and CEO of Brick Lane Brewing, said that Brick Lane’s spiritual home has always been the QVM, where it tapped its first keg five years ago at the famous Winter Night Market.
“Taking over a 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.”
Throughout the venue, fresh beer will be available from 36 taps and will include core favourites such as One Love Pale Ale and Hi Fi Dry Zero Carb Japanese Lager. In addition to Brick Lane’s core and seasonal ranges, customers will be able to taste bespoke one-off pilot batches and beers exclusive to QVM.
The remainder of the drinks list will have a strong Melbourne and Victorian influence, with spirits from Starward, Little Lon Distilling, Saint Felix, Kilderkin Distillery and White Possum, complemented by wines from Moorooduc, Noisy Ritual, Payton and Jones, Giamarino, Lethbridge and Billy Button.
“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,” says Paul.
“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.”
The food offering, overseen by Ankit Padmani (ex-Indu, Mejico and Collins Quarter), will evolve daily and follow a market-to-plate philosophy inspired by seasonal ingredients and produce available from the QVM.
A highly anticipated feature of the venue is the Raw Bar, which will serve fresh oysters and seafood sourced directly from QVM’s brand new food hall.
Matt Elliott, CEO of QVM, shared his support ahead of the 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 to support a number of small, independent businesses.”
