Beloved Adelaide pub the Crown and Anchor Hotel, affectionately known as the Cranker, has revealed its new home in a temporary move from the CBD’s East to West End.
Last year, the pub and live music venue was saved from demolition after a community campaign advocated to protect the cultural significance of the 171-year-old venue.
Although the building’s future as a pub has been protected, the operators are required to vacate the premises for up to two years while construction of a student accommodation facility takes place – with the Cranker given first right of return to the venue on completion.
The Cranker’s managing director Tom Skipper told Australian Hotelier that the search for a temporary home was about finding a space that could support the venue’s live music legacy, maintain a late-night culture and feel like an extension of what has been built at the Cranker – with the pub set to live on at the former Ed Castle Hotel.
“The Ed Castle was one of the few venues in the city that could accommodate this and just happened to be vacant. It has a great history as a live music venue, a strong layout for gigs and enough space to keep our community together. The fact that it was available and aligned with our vision made it the right fit,” Skipper stated.
South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said the temporary move was an excellent outcome and an example of what can be achieved when the community, private sector and Government work together.
“The Cranker will breathe new life into the Ed Castle, which has a rich history, but has sat vacant in recent times. We’re proud to have assisted the Cranker in the search for temporary venue, and look forward to seeing live music ringing through the front bar at the Ed Castle once more.
“We also look forward to seeing the Cranker return to its rightful home in the East End as soon as this much-needed student accommodation is delivered.”
Maintaining the Cranker’s legacy
In searching for a venue that could uphold the Cranker’s culture, Skipper said live music was a non-negotiable and remains the pub’s priority.
“It’s the heart of what we do, and we’ve worked hard to ensure the Ed Castle can deliver on that. There have been challenges – finding a venue with the right sound setup, capacity and licensing took time. But we’re investing in staging, tech and sound to make sure the Ed Castle becomes a true home for original live music in Adelaide while we’re there.
“We’re also working with bands and promoters to maintain the same spirit and energy that made the Crown and Anchor a hub for live music.”
The search for a new home wasn’t an easy task, and according to Skipper, the move itself is equally challenging – from logistics and licensing, to the challenge of recreating decades-long community and culture in a matter of months.
“Moving a pub is more than just changing addresses – it’s about ensuring that the culture, community and experience translate to a new space. Financially, it’s also a huge challenge. Relocation costs, from new beer lines to marketing and staging, are significant. But we’ve had great support from the music and hospitality community and we’re pushing forward,” he stated.
Although moving wasn’t something the venue wanted, the team saw it as a chance to rethink how the pub operates. While the essence of the Cranker will remain, the new space also opens doors to new, untapped opportunities, including the addition of food.
“We’re taking the opportunity to refine the food and beverage offering with perhaps a Midnight Spaghetti influence. The Ed Castle has a great beer garden and multiple bars, so we’ll be using those spaces in ways that enhance the experience for our patrons,” Skipper explained.
“The Ed Castle allows us to host more outdoor events, make use of different spaces and experiment with new ideas. It also introduces the Cranker experience to a slightly different part of the city, bringing in new faces while keeping our core crowd. And of course, it gives us a chance to plan for the eventual return of the Crown and Anchor in a bigger and better way.”
Despite the obvious challenges, Skipper is pleased to say that patrons have responded to the announcement with overwhelming positivity.
“People are excited that live music has a place to continue and there’s a lot of nostalgia for the Ed Castle, given its history in Adelaide’s music scene. There’s obviously some sadness about the move, but I think most people understand that this is a necessary step to ensure the Cranker comes back stronger.”