Depot brewery opens in northern Sydney
Depot Brewery has opened its doors in Artarmon, north of Sydney, with six 3000-liter fermentation tanks for lager, IPA and limited editions.
Award-winning brewers Ady Fitter and Ian Roxburgh apply their expertise to the draft beer menu: a medium-alcohol "Ultra Crisp" lager, a fruity "Pacific Pale" ale, a strong but balanced "IPA" and nine other rotating taps.
The kitchen is helmed by chef Will Baldwin, who has worked for over 15 years in establishments in Sydney and London, including the award-winning Bopp & Tone. The venue also offers wines and cocktails made with house-distilled gin and vodka, which can be enjoyed while watching sporting events on the giant screens or while watching your children play in the playground.
Depot is the older sibling of Buckle Cafe & Distillery, located right next door. According to the team, Buckle offers a more traditional cafe experience, with an extensive menu of drinks and food to enjoy from morning till night, while Depot is its more casual counterpart. Bar manager Campbell Starrett sums it up this way: “When we conceived Buckle and Depot, we knew we wanted two venues that could offer customers something completely different yet complementary.”
While Buckle draws inspiration from classic Australian cafe culture, Depot leans more towards pubs. The space is furnished with a combination of bar and dining tables, designed for both quick drinks with friends and leisurely chats. The name is a tribute to the historic municipal depot adjacent to the building, which Cradle Design revitalized while preserving its essence: a sleek bar combined with industrial elements like exposed brick and beams.
The brewery and bar are located at 1 Frederick St, Artarmon. They are open from 12:00 to 22:00 Monday to Thursday, from 12:00 to 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 12:00 to 21:00 on Sundays; the kitchen serves from 12:00 to 20:30 daily.
