The Newly Revamped Penny Black Is Set to Reopen as Part of Welcome To Brunswick
It'll become a late-night live music venue and beer garden from the Welcome to Brunswick crew.
This month, one of the former grand dames of Sydney Road is set to make her comeback. The long-running, music-loving party pub The Penny Black shut its doors earlier this year, but is about to embark on a new phase of life under the helm of 100 Burgers Group (Welcome to Thornbury, Mr Burger, Hightail).
Reopening in late July under the new moniker Penny's, the pub will take the form of a live music venue and beer garden, complete with late-night hours and rock 'n roll-inspired interiors. Group Creative Director Matt Lane (Mamasita, Hotel Jesus) has reimagined the sticky-floored boozer as an homage to 70s-era Japanese rock culture, all moody tones and glowing red lights. A new-look front bar, dining space and band room leads back through to Penny's legendary beer garden, which has also been revamped, and now rocks a tropical-themed turquoise deck.
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As for the food offering, you'll find the pizzas and parmas of yesterday have been replaced by a Japanese-leaning menu courtesy of Executive Chef Sandy Melgalvis (formerly Mulberry Group and Head Chef of Three Blue Ducks). Expect a share-friendly lineup starring the likes of cauliflower katsu sandwiches, karaage chicken and hashimaki — a street food dish featuring okonomiyaki rolled around a chopstick.
Penny's will aim to carry on the live music legacy of its predecessor, with the band room hosting local acts up to four nights a week and the beer garden to become a DJ-fuelled oasis each weekend.
While the refreshed iteration of The Penny Black will keep its former home at 420 Sydney Road, the venue is set to merge with some of its nearest neighbours to create a multi-venue precinct dubbed Welcome to Brunswick. Penny's will join up with rear neighbour 4 Pines Brewery and Beer Garden (previously known as Welcome to Brunswick), fellow Sydney Road haunts Brunswick Mess Hall and Little Mess, and Frith Street burger joint Mr Burger. Punters will eventually able to roam freely between the adjoining venues at Welcome to Brunswick thanks to a central pathway.
Find Penny's at 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick, from late July, when it'll become part of the Welcome to Brunswick precinct. In the meantime, you can access 4 Pines Brewery and Beer Garden via 1 Frith Street, Brunswick.
