The west end has quietly welcomed back an old favourite, but not quite as you remember it.
For the past six months, the team behind Union Bridge has been steadily working behind the scenes, carefully transforming the former Benjamin on Franklin into the city’s newest hospitality gem.
Blending the venue’s heritage charm with the playful, modern flair of the Union Bridge brand, already well-known to Adelaide Hills locals, the refreshed venue is now edging closer to its official debut.
With the front bar renovation now complete and the final touches underway, all eyes are on the official opening planned for 1 May, 2025. Early visitors, however, have already been treated to a sneak peek, with the softly opened venue offering a warm welcome to those keen to experience what’s ahead.
A sympathetic restoration has preserved the beauty of the original building, giving regulars a sense of nostalgia, while the bar’s glamorous new interiors and a creative drinks program offer something distinctly fresh.
“Feedback since the soft opening has been wonderful,” says Restaurant & Functions Manager Ginny Grycewicz.
“People are happy to see this beautiful old hotel open again with a lot of the original features and design aesthetics.”
Union Bridge on Franklin is more than just a city pub. It’s now the sister to the much-loved Union Bridge Brewery and Distillery in Cudlee Creek.
Housed in the old Cold Stores dating back to 1922, the Adelaide Hills venue has built a reputation for crafting premium small-batch spirits, beers, and soft drinks using time-honoured techniques and local botanicals. Since 2015, the Union Bridge team has been bottling the spirit of the Adelaide Hills, quite literally, with award-winning gins, vodkas, beers, sparklings, and more.
Now, the city venue is bringing that same signature charm to the CBD.
“Because we feature our beverages from the Union Bridge distillery, including our adults-only soft drinks on tap, people are really loving the uniqueness of our offering as we are very different to the usual pub or hotel,” says Ginny.
The playful drinks list is one of the bar’s highlights, with six adults-only soft drinks served on tap. Cherry Cola, Creaming Soda, Ginger Beer, Pine Lime, English Lemonade, and Sarsaparilla are all given a cheeky, grown-up twist thanks to Union Bridge spirits.
And there’s more on the horizon. In 2025, Union Bridge will release its first-ever whisky, which Ginny says will be the hero of the Franklin Street venue’s bar, promising even more reason to return.
In true South Australian style, the wine list has been carefully curated to represent all of South Australia’s wine regions, while the food menu is designed to showcase local produce wherever possible.
Whether you’re stopping by for a quick drink or settling in for a long lunch, the focus is on celebrating the best of what the state has to offer.
Upstairs, the venue will also be hosting regular 1920s-themed cocktail evenings, bringing a little old-school glamour to Franklin Street, with plans to make the most of the six versatile function spaces.
While the official launch is just around the corner, Union Bridge on Franklin is already attracting those curious enough to slip through its doors during this soft launch period and by all accounts, they’re liking what they find.
Union Bridge on Franklin
Where: 233 Franklin Street, Adelaide
When: Monday-Saturday 11am-late, closed Sunday
For more information >> click here
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