Hidden in the back streets of industrial Brompton, the historic Gaslight Tavern has been transformed into a sleek and modern pub under its original title, The Brickmakers Arms.
Brickmakers Arms is the original name of the 1800s pub before it was changed to Gaslight Hotel, in reference to the gasworks utility which was once just across the road. Its name has remained that way for around 50 years, but it’s time for a new chapter.
“We always liked the look of the pub, we think it’s a gorgeous building and we wanted to give it a new lease of life. We’ve changed the names of lots of pubs and we did with this one as well to let people know there’s been a change,” new co-owner Michael Pettigrew says.
Redeveloping well-known hospitality locations isn’t a foreign concept for the new owners of the pub.
Katie Pettigrew and her husband Michael, with brothers Scott and Jason Lawrie, took on the Hotel Wright Street as their first hotel renovation as a group, and then the Parkside Hotel.
“Katie and I have been involved in this area of business for around 13 years and the boys for even longer,” Michael says.
“The boys have re-done numerous pubs in the city. They were the ones who did the original renovation on the Duke of York back in the 2000s and then the Duke of Brunswick and The Wakefield Hotel as well.”
Now they’ve all redeveloped The Brickmakers Arms into a family-friendly pub with a community mindset.
They’ve now brought on board chef and friend Dan Brenton, will be serving up a range of delicious pub classics like schnitzel, pork belly, a range of salads and some menu items which showcase what a modern pub can offer like tofu katsu, buttermilk popcorn chicken and pulled mushroom ramen.
Since they started redeveloping around a year ago, they’ve pulled down walls and opened up the space to the outside world with windows which were once closed over with gyprock.
A beer garden is still under construction as a second phase of the project which will extend their capacity above 100 patrons. The garden will include a fly roof, grass area and a brick wall to minimise sound pollution.
They’ve also re-done all of the flooring to make it one level without bumps and crevices to make sure everyone is welcome and cater to patrons who need better access.
Everything they have done so far has come about from their desire to make the Brickmakers Arms a place where people gather as a community again.
The Brickmakers Arms
Where: 36 Chief St, Brompton SA 5007
When: Friday 11am-12am
Saturday 11am-12am
Sunday 11am-10pm
Monday 11am-10pm
Tuesday 11am-10pm
Wednesday 11am-11pm
Thursday 11am-11pm
More information: Click here
