Felons open microbrewery and Barrel Room at Manly Wharf – What it means for the Beaches

After more than a year of construction, anticipation and quiet talk along the foreshore, Felons Brewing Co. is set to launch its next chapter at Manly Wharf. Occupying the former abandoned Aldi site, the new Felons Barrel Room and on-site microbrewery will open this Friday 5 December, bringing live music back to the wharf, fresh beer brewed on the harbour and a space built for locals to enjoy for years to come.

For Artemus Group founder and Manly resident Adam Flaskas, the project is closely tied to where he lives and spends his time.

“Manly is paradise. Most mornings I’m up early surfing or walking along the beach, watching the sun come up, and just grateful to be part of this place,” he says.

“We’re woven into the community here, backing the local footy and surf lifesaving crews who keep the spirit of Manly alive. It’s impossible not to love this town, and that’s why we’re so driven to help create a precinct everyone can enjoy and be proud of.”

That thinking shapes the opening weekend, which is free to attend and centred on music and community. Winston Surfshirt will headline on Friday night followed by Mental As Anything on Saturday. Sunday will be a family-friendly day before shifting into a Club Sweat evening session.

Felons Brand Director Dean Romeo says the opening weekend sets the tone for what the Barrel Room aims to be.

“This summer, we’re excited to contribute to the cultural energy that already makes Manly such a special place, bringing together music, craft and community by the harbour,” he says.

Inside the Barrel Room, more than 100 French oak barrels line the walls, with beer ageing on site and poured metres from where it was brewed. The venue seats more than 300 and can hold up to 700 guests, with a built-in stage for live sets, cultural programming and community-driven events. Alongside barrel-aged beer, a menu of Vietnamese-influenced dishes will be introduced to pair with the brewing lineup.

Dean Romeo says the Barrel Room represents a new chapter for Felons, designed to bring flavour, craft and community together in one place. “It’s our way of celebrating Manly, a destination that’s as much about people as it is about place.”

The brewery sits at the heart of the build. A new steam-powered brewhouse and 3600-litre serving tanks will allow beer, cider and seltzer to be tapped fresh from the source. A viewing corridor will let select visitors see brewing in motion, and in the coming months, a custom koelschip will be added to create beers that reflect a true taste of Manly. Daily tours, tastings and meet-the-brewer sessions are planned, along with Manly-only seasonal releases.

Adam Flaskas says the focus now is developing the long-term program beyond opening-week crowds, with supporting local emerging artists and organisations a key priority. In the past twelve months, Felons has contributed more than $150,000 to surf clubs, charities and community groups, and its partnership with Seabin means each Japanese rice lager sold removes plastic from the harbour, with more than 20,000 pieces collected to date.

“Our hope is that people feel like this is their place as much as ours,” he says. “A spot to bring the kids, watch a band, have a beer after a swim or stay out a little longer than planned.”