The Cranker officially closed its Grenfell Street doors last weekend ahead of a temporary move to the West End where it’ll bring all the grunge, riffs, and rounds of beer it’s become famous for. It’s a bittersweet moment for many Adelaidians.
But after a year of passionate protests and petitions to Save the Cranker, its East End home has been placed on hold until construction on Grenfell Street is complete, and the crowd descends upon a new look Crown and Anchor at The Ed Castle Hotel on Currie Street.
There are venues known for their sleek interiors and tightly curated menus, but where the Cranker has always shone is in its wonderfully eclectic community. It’s where friends converge, the best local music is discovered, and where beer spills over the sides of glasses as pints clink together. It’s an atmosphere that seems tricky to recreate anywhere but atop the storied wooden floors of 196 Grenfell. But when the same crowd is bringing the party to the West End, we reckon it’s attainable.
Publican Tom Skipper says there’s a lot of excitement around the move, and from what they’ve seen so far, the energy will be pretty comparable. On the recent soft opening, he said, “Last night was massive, and if that’s anything to go by, tonight should be huge. There’s a lot of hype, so I’m expecting a big Wednesday night to kick things off.”
The Ed Castle started pouring pints for the first time last night, Wednesday 23 July, and will have an official launch on Monday 28 July.
Tom says the move won’t change what makes the Cranker special.
“The Wednesday night specials and beers are getting carried over from the Cranker. As of next week we’ll have our full food menu too. The kitchen’s a bit bigger, and there’s a great beer garden. It’s Cranker, just a little different,” he said.
In its first weekend, ahead of the official launch, The Ed Castle is bringing out a massive music lineup with local legends The Genevieves headlining Saturday 26 July. Also gracing the stage will be The Birds Are Spies, Sports Car, Sons of Zoku, Druid Fluids, Energy Angel, Pity Lips, Home Court, Dropsink, Ebop, and Hydrelia.
If you’ve spent any time around Adelaide’s pub scene in the past year, you’ll know the iconic venue was forced out of its corner spot on Grenfell and Union Street. 170 years of live music and great company is now being put on hold to make way for a new student accommodation complex that will be built above the venue.
The future of the beloved Cranker was uncertain for a time, but its bright new home in the West End signals a lot of hope, and a lot more great nights in town. Depending on how things play out, Tom says The Ed Castle might just stick around as a second home alongside the Crown and Anchor.
The Edinburgh Castle
Where: 233 Currie St, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Open now, Monday to Saturday, 12pm till late.
For more information, click here.
More News
