Barrels, Beers & live Music

The next chapter of the Felons puzzle has landed: introducing the Barrel Room. Opening in true Felons style with a weekend-long fiesta of live music and family fun in early December, the highly anticipated venue has transformed the old ALDI site into something almost unrecognisable. Think brewery meets live music venue, with a side of Felons fun.

Led by brewery director Tom Champion and lead brewer Gareth Cooper, the Barrel Room is lined with more than 100 French oak barrels used to age a wide variety of Felons’ beers, including a Barrel-Aged Crisp Lager matured for six weeks in Starward Whisky barrels. Guests will also have the chance to book brewery tours and meet-the-brewer sessions, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the craft and creativity behind each pour.

Part brewery, part dining hall, part music hub, it can host up to 700 people. Expect live sets, jazz evenings, trivia, comedy nights and intimate piano sessions. With a world-class audio and lighting system by internationally recognised d&b audiotechnik, and an acoustically treated layout designed for performance, the experience is unmatched on the Northern Beaches. It is exactly what Manly has been calling for.

At the heart of this evolution is the new steam-powered brewhouse, purpose-built to showcase the tangible elements of a working brewery on Manly Wharf. Beer pours straight from 3,600L tanks, providing unrivalled freshness across beer, cider and seltzer, with select visitors given a glimpse at the brewing process via an interior walkway. Guests can look forward to Manly-exclusive and seasonal brews, including the crisp Japanese rice lager, alongside Felons classics such as Crisp Lager, Galaxy Haze and Australian Pale Ale.

The menu by chefs Bao La and Ty Bellingham builds on the success of Vietnamese canteen Saigon Supper Inn, serving vibrant Vietnamese dishes crafted to complement Felons’ beer list. Fresh pours come straight from the tanks for unbeatable quality, with natural wines and signature cocktails also on offer. Whether you are tucked beside the barrels or soaking up the live music, you will be glad you came.

“Felons Manly has always been about connection between people, community and place,” said Adam Flaskas, co-founder and director of Artemus Group. “This summer, we are excited to contribute to the cultural energy that already makes Manly such a special place, bringing together music, craft and community by the harbour.”

“The installation of the brewery and the opening of Felons Barrel Room mark a defining moment for Felons,” said Dean Romeo, brand director of Felons Brewing Co. “Together, these spaces represent everything we stand for, creating dynamic places that celebrate the art of brewing, the joy of connection and the creative spirit that runs through the Manly community. It is our way of celebrating Manly, a destination that is as much about people as it is about place.”

Make The Barrel Room your next stop this summer.

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