Little Creatures unveils $10 million Fremantle waterfront expansion with sweeping harbour views

Little Creatures has spread its wings, unveiling a $10 million transformation of a once-derelict stretch of the Fremantle harbour into a sprawling new multi-level hospitality juggernaut.

Nestled between the existing venue at 40 Mews Road, which opened in 2000, and the run-down Joe’s Fish Shack, the revamped space spans two levels and offers uninterrupted views of the Fremantle fishing boat harbour.

While the original Great Hall — now dubbed The Brewhouse — remains the heart of the operation, the neighbouring building, opening on March 12, has been transformed into a sprawling dining precinct with capacity for more than 1000 thirsty punters.

With sweeping harbour views from every seat in the house, national operations manager Carrie Watson expects the venue will quickly become a favourite with locals and tourists alike.

“In the past, everyone migrated to that back beer garden in the Great Hall,” she said.

“Now, you can experience that view everywhere you sit.”

The redesign splits the massive footprint into several distinct zones, each catering to a different style of visit.

Cherub Hall serves as the main bar and dining hub, complete with relaxed lounge zones on the front deck.

Along the boardwalk sits The Deck Bar — the go-to spot for sport enthusiasts to catch games on the big screen.

Perched on the second level, The Loft offers a more elevated experience. The space features booth seating, a feed me menu and handcrafted cocktails for those looking to level up from a standard mid-strength.

Field sales director Danny Connolly said significant investment had also gone into the brewing infrastructure behind the scenes.

“It was absolutely critical for us to ensure that the beer was as fresh as it possibly could be,” Mr Connolly said.

“We’ve managed to embed the technology to ensure that little creatures go straight from server, unpasteurised, to the taps, so that consumers get the freshest beer experience they possibly can in the venue.”

While the downstairs bars remain firmly Little Creatures territory, The Loft branches out slightly, giving a nod to stablemates such as Swan Draught and Guinness.

From its humble beginnings as a Matilda Bay spin-off to its $380 million acquisition by Lion in 2012, Little Creatures has long been a North Star of Fremantle’s craft beer scene.

“While different, we have taken all the things that people love over the last 25 years of the original Little Creatures experience and just added to that,” Mr Connolly said.

The latest redevelopment signals a major bet on the future of the Freo waterfront — and a fresh chapter for a venue that has become part of the city’s DNA.