Pirate Life was founded in Adelaide in 2014 by Jack Cameron, Michael Cameron and Jared Proudfoot, growing from a small operation into one of Australia's better-known craft beer names before being acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev in 2017 and later passing to Asahi Beverages. South Melbourne, which opened in March 2024, is the brand's fourth venue and its first on Australia's east coast, joining locations in Adelaide and Perth. Housed in a former mechanics garage on Market Street, the 220-capacity beer hall was designed with South Australian firm Studio Gram, retaining exposed brick and original character while adding lush greenery and an industrial-chic finish. Around 14 to 16 beers are typically on tap, from core styles like the South Coast Pale Ale to limited releases such as the Vanilla Malt Thickshake IPA and a venue-exclusive Market Street Lager, with all beer shipped in from Pirate Life's Port Adelaide brewery rather than brewed on site. Food leans into open-fire cooking with a Greek and South American influence, including wagyu beef skewers, wood-fired flatbread with dips and a Sunday roast using produce sourced largely from nearby South Melbourne Market. The venue is dog-friendly, wheelchair accessible and set up for functions, making it as suited to a casual pint after work as it is to a long lunch or a group booking.