The Craft & Co closes Collingwood bar, restaurant and function centre

One of Melbourne’s first micro-distilleries and craft breweries has been forced to make a tough call on its Collingwood venue.

The Craft & Co at Smith St, Collingwood, is closed. Anthony Palmer and owner Paul Baggio with the micro-distillery’s Gingerbread Gin. Picture: Tony Gough.

A trailblazing micro-distillery and craft brewery in inner-city Melbourne has shut its popular bar, restaurant and wedding venue.

The Craft & Co on Wednesday announced on social media that its hospitality operations in Collingwood would close, effective immediately.

“It is with a heavy heart to announce that almost 10 years after establishing ourselves as one of the first micro-distilleries and craft breweries to open in the inner city, The Craft & Co has had to make the tough decision to close its hospitality operations in Collingwood,” the business posted.

“This includes the bar, restaurant and functions space.”

The Craft & Co’s popular restaurant and bar has closed. Picture- Nicole Cleary

The business assured all customers who had paid deposits for the venue that they would get their money back and all suppliers and staff would be paid in full.

“We will hopefully regroup and look at our options to relaunch in the future, but the focus right now is to ensure we pave the smoothest path out for all our team members and function bookings.”

The Craft & Co beverage brand will continue its distilling and brewing operations from its Preston manufacturing site and the online shop will also be unaffected by the decision.

Devastated customers, including couples who had held wedding receptions at the Smith St venue, shared their disappointment about the decision.

Andrew Mirra, who celebrated his wedding to Lisa Bosco The Craft & Co about six years, said he was “shattered” to find out the venue was closing.

“Was hoping for one last drink with you guys,” he posted.

“It was always a venue we loved to pop in and have a drink and bite of food.”

Marriage celebrant Nat Sproal was also saddened by the news.

“So many amazing weddings I’ve officiated there. Thanks for the memories!’ she posted.

The Craft & Co’s decision comes as craft breweries across the state go bust.

Independent Brewers Association chief Kylie Lethbridge recently told the Herald Sun that “many, many” craft breweries were now on their knees.

David Milstein and Patrick Ale at Deeds Brewery. Picture: Hamish Blair

“They’re either restructuring — and in fact many already have, some as long as 12 months ago — reduced their staff down to bare bones, been put up for sale or simply closed their doors,” Ms Lethbridge said.

Victorian brewers that had gone into voluntary administration in recent times included Deeds Brewing, Dainton Beer and Bad Shepherd.

Victoria’s oldest independent brewery, Grand Ridge in Mirboo North, also began the process of voluntary administration in March.

Cheltenham’s Bad Shepherd Brewing Co entered voluntary administration in October 2023 as it sought “to facilitate a financial restructuring of the business” while Melbourne-based brewery Hawkers did the same — with $1.7 million of unpaid tax debt — on February 12.

Meanwhile, Kilmore’s Red Lion Brewery and Healesville’s Matilda Bay Brew pub are among those which have quietly closed their doors.