First glimpse of Pirate Life’s new microbrewery inside SkyCity Adelaide casino
Australia’s first casino microbrewery will have a lot more than just beer brewing atop Adelaide’s SkyCity.
SA News
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Finishing touches are being made to the first microbrewery inside an Australia casino.
The microbrewery – operated by hugely successful Adelaide beer company Pirate Life – is the centrepiece of a new entertainment venue inside the refurbished SkyCity Adelaide.
Known as The District, the two-level complex has been built on the rooftop space previously occupied by the Oasis bar.
It will feature a large digital screen, stage for live music, dance floor, eatery and mezzanine.
The project is part of a $330m redevelopment of the casino which features a multistorey extension containing a luxury hotel opening later this month.
The District venue manager Jarrad Anderson said it would offer Pirate Life beer and local wines and spirits, snack-sized food, live music, sports on a giant screen, poker and gaming.
“It’s all about offering the complete package in one place so you don’t have to leave to get what you want,” he said.
“Being able to find it all under one roof is our point of difference.”
Mr Anderson said he was aiming to make The District an inclusive venue.
“I want to make a place where everybody feels welcome and has a great time,” he said.
“I used to operate a bar in Perth where you would find a bikie sitting next to a ballerina.
“I want that sort of vibe.”
Mr Anderson said there would be regular live music performed by South Australian bands.
“We are going to really support the local live music scene,” he said.
“We have a free concert by indie band Germein to kick things off next weekend.”
Pirate Life co-founder Jared ‘Red’ Proudfoot said the company was excited to be involved in an Australian-first.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in setting up a small microbrewery inside a casino,” he said.
Mr Proudfoot said the beers brewed at The District would be exclusive to the venue.
“Our first brew is the District Draught,” he said.
“It is a quite easy, quaffable beer which should appeal to a lot of people.”
Large murals by South Australian artists feature on the walls while natural light enters through an open roof space.
Project manager Nina Switajewski said she had wanted North Adelaide artist Julia Townsend to paint a mural which had a female theme to reflect the venue’s inclusivity.
“It’s quite a masculine place with the steel and everything so when we commissioned Julia we asked to do something more feminine,” she said.
The District opens on Friday, November 20, followed by the opening of the new extension on November 28.