Running With Thieves is preparing to open its third hospitality venue in Henderson, ahead of its planned Port Hedland site, as it looks to capitalise on the growing defence precinct workforce.
The South Fremantle-founded brewery will open its new two-storey bar and restaurant on May 22, which sits within Scope Property Group’s $200 million Henderson proposal to service the Australian Marine Complex.
The fully-refurbished tavern - the first of its kind in the area - features a large beer garden, upstairs balcony, playground, drive-through coffee and a drive-through bottle shop at 81 Quill Way, Henderson.
The venue is planned to sit within Scope Property’s broader development proposal dubbed the Henderson Business Hub, which should it come to fruition, would feature a 10-storey hotel, offices and social spaces.
But those plans hit a snag on Tuesday when the planning body knocked back the $200 million proposal, citing that level of amenity for an important industrial precinct did not justify approval.
Scope Property bought the 1.85-hectare site for $4.45 million in 2023, with an eye to capitalise the growth of the defence, marine and manufacturing industries.
The development comes as the Henderson precinct south of Perth has attracted hordes of government investment and business activity as the state positions itself to capitalise on the AUKUS agreement.
Running With Thieves said the new venue marked a significant expansion for the brand and the first hospitality offering of its kind in the defence precinct.
“We’re incredibly excited to open our doors in Henderson,” said Running with Thieves Henderson venue manager Marcus McQueen said.
“Henderson is a watershed moment for the region, the next 20 years are looking very bright.”
Scope Property director Robert Engelhard said the opening of the hospital venue was a key step in activating the Henderson Business Hub.
“Introducing the kind of hospitality and social infrastructure the precinct has long been missing,” he said.
The new venue opening marks a further expansion of Running with Thieves presence since it came under new ownership after being bought out of administration in 2023.
Major mining fleet provider Northfleet’s Mike Simm and his business partners acquired Running With Thieves and have since expanded beyond its flagship South Fremantle brewery, bar and restaurant to the Pilbara and now Henderson.
In December the business owners signed a five-year deal to run a vacated yacht club at Port Hedland’s Spoilbank Marina, which was recently refurbished by the Town of Port Hedland.
Running With Thieves’ multi-venue growth forms part of a broader trend among fellow Western Australian brewers, many of which have similarly embarked on opening new satellite venues in recent years (see the full list below).
Multi-venue breweries in WA:
