Philter Brewing

Apart from a small neon sign in the window, the only hint there’s a bar inside what was once a yoghurt factory on Sydenham Road in Marrickville are the twinkling lights shining through the gaps in the 1960s geometric breezeblock facade.

Founded in a Marrickville backyard in 2017, Philter went on to gypsy-brew its award-winning ales and lagers at Hope Estate in the Hunter Valley, then at Hawkers Beer in Melbourne. But after two years of searching, its five founders finally found the perfect space for both a brewery and a bar, just around the corner from where Constantoulas and fellow co-founder Mick Neil first started talking about brewing beer.

It’s also in the heartland of Sydney’s burgeoning craft beer scene, with a number of other breweries – including Grifter, Wildflower, Batch and Sauce – already calling Marrickville home.

Downstairs, you'll find a cosy wood-panelled public bar with coloured glass lights hanging over round bistro tables, a black leather chesterfield and a vintage tiled bar. Hanging behind the bar, among old records propped on shelves, is a vintage mirror with Philter’s logo painted in gold lettering. The bar opens into a vast brewery dominated by rows of enormous, gleaming tanks. Burgers, 10-inch pizzas, and wings by the whole or half-kilo star on a menu of classic pub-style eats.

Upstairs is Marrickville Springs – the brewery’s resort-style rooftop bar. Philter has tapped into the energy of Palm Springs with pastel-coloured tiling, rows of white timber banquettes, hanging greenery, and a neon-lit breezeblock bar serving cocktails and beer slushies. Retro snacks, such as prawn cocktails and ‘90s-style cheese plates, are on the menu for all-day grazing.

No matter where you pull up, Philter’s award-winning XPA, Red Session Ale, raspberry-passionfruit berliner weisse, plus an assortment of stouts and seasonal brews will be pouring on tap or available by the tin.