MELBOURNE | I was going to introduce Brunswick’s Small Time Group as a bar, but it’s a venue that’s much more than that. Small Time opened at the end of February, and somehow managed to stay open and build a loyal following despite most of its formative year being spent in lockdown.
How? I think it’s the fact that beyond offering killer NYC style pizzas, tasty cocktails, and local, independent wines and beers (which were all available to-go during lockdown), they’re doing something genuinely different.
As well as being a bar and pizza joint, Small Time is a music accelerator, studio, and performance space. What’s an accelerator? Co-founder Stephen Hibberd borrowed the accelerator concept from the tech sector (his day job, along with being a drummer). Accelerators offer short bursts of advice to people starting out in the tech and finance, and Small Time brings that idea to the music world.
Each month, up to 10 up-and-coming musicians across all genres produce music at Small Time’s on site studios, and receive mentorship from industry experts. The artists play free, ticketed gigs at the venue, while “Small Time TV” live-streams shows, interviews and advice on Facebook and YouTube. Such a great concept.
Back to the bar side of things. The NYC style pizzas are available as 55cm pies or by the slice. I went for a slice of “Oh Pep! Peroni”, a simple cheese, tomato, and pepperoni pizza, enjoyed on the rooftop terrace with gin mule, and it all went down a treat.
I’ll definitely be heading back to enjoy some more pizza and drinks, and to discover some great new local musicians.
Small Time Group
271-273 Albert Street
Brunswick
Victoria 3056
Australia
Telephone: 0497 617 857
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Wed: 3:00pm to 11:00pm
Thu: 3:00pm to 1:00am
Fri – Sat: 1:00pm to 1:00am
Sun: 1:00pm to 11:00pm