We like to have a drink at: Bracket Brewing, Marrickville
Bracket Brewing has become part of Marrickville’s thriving brewery scene, securing its spot on the Circle of Life—not to mention the Inner West Ale Trail.
Now just moments from Victoria Park, with the 428 bus dropping you right at the door from the city, it offers a fine independent alternative to that Big Chain Establishment on the corner of Addison Road.
The Story
Father-and-son team Mark and Mike Meletopoulo opened Bracket in Sydney’s Alexandria in August 2020, at a time when the world was still grappling with the parameters of a pandemic.
They quickly built a strong reputation for quality brews, weathering closures and lockdowns throughout their first year. But despite their resilience, the rising cost of rent in Sydney eventually forced them to close their Alexandria location.
Now, a year on, the 2204 postcode has welcomed them with open arms. In fact, when we visited their new spot on Addi Rd on a sunny Friday afternoon, the venue was already packed—and the official opening was still a day away.
The Experience
A short stroll from Enmore Road and just around the corner from Village: Wildflower/Mountain Culture taproom and Kicks Brewing, Bracket’s shopfront is an unassuming warehouse.
The venue is simplicity itself—a big old room with about 15 tables of various sizes. There’s no dedicated beer garden or outdoor seating, but grab a table near the entrance and you’re practically outdoors.
It’s a space for everyone. When we visited, the crowd was a mix of tradies enjoying a knock-off bevvie, beer nerds, and locals stopping by for a look. It’s also dog-friendly. Despite the packed house, the owners have put real effort into acoustics, ensuring sound carries beautifully through the space. We sat at two different tables and never had trouble holding a conversation.
As we said, it’s an easy spot to reach by public transport—or, if you’re feeling more athletic, there’s bike parking right at the door.
The Beers
At the time of opening, 12 of the 16 taps were pouring, showcasing Bracket’s strengths in double dry-hopped (DDH) IPAs, New England-inspired hazies, and pale ales.
The colourfully named C___, _M__, and __Y_ are great starting points to get a feel for their oeuvre (___K was missing when we visited). Their tap list also features a trail of collaborations, including brews with Slow Lane, Shapeshifter, and Kicks. One standout was By Hook or By Crook, a bold DDH IPA we thoroughly enjoyed.
But it’s not all hazy beers—our visit ended on a crisp note with Recap, a terrific Pilsner that delivered a clean, refreshing finish.
Food & Pairings
There’s no food available just yet, but we were told they’re more than happy for patrons to bring in their own.
Most people opted for a pizza from MMC Slice Shoppe, just two doors down. But let’s be honest—you’re on Addi Rd in Marrickville, so you’re spoiled for choice.
Final Thoughts
Good beer, great space, and friendly service—Bracket Brewing is back, and we couldn’t be happier to see them join the Marrickville trail.
Bracket Brewing is located at 2/48 Addison Rd, Marrickville in Sydney.