Mr. West, slated to open mid-August, is bringing the bar/bottleshop concept to Footscray. It's going to feature a rooftop courtyard and bar area serving crafty pints from 24 taps, as well as cocktails and wine. The venue will also offer takeaway from the extensive downstairs bottle shop. Owners Caleb Barker (Custard & Co. Cider, Bluebonnet BBQ) and Josh Hodges (Cookie, Ferral Brewing Co., Little Andora) bring a wealth of beer, wine, cocktail and spirits knowledge west with them, promising to showcase all things “weird, whacky and wonderful” from the world of craft booze.
The bottle shop will dominate the ground floor space, featuring hundreds of craft beers, natural wines, Australian and little-known spirits. All beer and wine will be available to drink on premise, either in the upstairs bar or in the small lounge and pool room behind the bottle shop. Upstairs, a cocktail list will showcase the serious but approachable style both Barker and Hodges have developed over years behind some of Melbourne’s best bars. You’ll also be able to line your belly with a small list of simple bar snacks (cheese, meats, olives), or BYO food from any of the many (and delicious) nearby take-away shops.
Occupying what was once a $2 shop, the space has been revamped by Twig & Co construction (Parkside, Pokéd) who left the original concrete walls and wooden beams intact and installed skylights upstairs for plenty of natural light. Promising to work with producers, distributors and experts to put on frequent events, the multi-purpose venue also hopes to become a hub for the residents of Footscray thirsty for knowledge as well as drinks.
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