SIX STRING TAP ROOM
90 The Entrance Road, Erina, Central Coast NSW
When Six String Brewing Co. outgrew their original facility capacity "well and truly before reaching their tenth birthday," they needed more than additional production space. Owner Chris Benson required architecture supporting three distinct revenue streams—craft production, premium dining, and live music—while "upping the game with everything."
The brief required navigating complex regulatory approvals to establish a fully operational brewery with integrated restaurant and live music venue within a concrete tilt-panel building type. The result: a 400+ capacity facility where production, hospitality, and performance support rather than compete with each other.
Design Strategy: Production as Showpiece
The brewhouse isn't hidden—it's the centerpiece. Main seating areas overlook the production floor, allowing guests to watch Six String's brewers crafting their cult Dark Red IPA and award-winning range while dining. Strategic brand building that justifies premium pricing and builds customer loyalty.
The architecture prioritizes operational efficiency alongside customer experience:
Vertical circulation – Custom black steel staircase efficiently connects production, service, and patron areas across two levels while becoming a signature brand element.
Flexible revenue spaces – Upper mezzanine operates as dining area, then converts to ticketed live music venue. "We can close it off for ticketed events while remaining open to people dropping past for a beer"—multiple revenue streams from a single space.
Bar positioning – Central concrete bar serves as operational hub and visual anchor. Strategic sightlines enable efficient service while showcasing the craft brewing process.
Lighting design – Collaborated with Tovo Lighting on strategic fixture placement throughout the venue. Entry foyer features custom pendant grouping that references the six-string guitar motif central to the brand identity.
Material durability – Polished concrete floors, raw concrete walls, black steel balustrades. Minimal maintenance, maximum longevity. Built for heavy hospitality use and designed for a 20+ year operational lifespan.
Live Music Infrastructure – Upper level provides proper staging, flexible seating that clears for dance floor, and separation allowing ticketed performances while ground-floor taproom remains open for casual trade. The venue operates as casual brewery taproom, full-service restaurant, live music venue, and private function space—each function driving independent revenue.
Project Details
Location: 90 The Entrance Road, Erina, NSW
Completed: 2025
Construction: Greg Mitchell Building
Structural Engineer: Thitchener Consulting
Lighting Design: Tovo Lighting
Building Type: Concrete tilt-panel industrial
Program: Working brewery, restaurant, licensed venue, live music space
Capacity: 400+
Media Coverage
Featured on Sydney Weekender, Channel 7 (2025)
Opening coverage: The Crafty Pint (February 2025)