The first thing to catch your eye when you enter the upcoming Moon Dog Wild West is likely to be the mechanical bull. Bought from Pennsylvania company Mechanical Bull Sales, it’s the venue’s centrepiece (and you must be over 18 to ride).
The second thing is likely to be the large mural depicting a seemingly endless desert landscape, painted by local company Scenic Studios. Both set the tone for this 800-capacity venue that nods to old-Hollywood interpretations of the American west.
It’s a sprawling space, with nooks and crannies filled with vintage finds including wagon wheels, cowhides and a taxidermy cobra fighting a mongoose. On the ground floor, ther’s a platform with horseshoe booths, a 10-seat private dining room and a “kid’s ranch” with a playground and old-school arcade games.
Follow neon signs to the dive bar-like space on the second floor. There’s a smoking area, red velvet-topped pool tables, and a bar with vinyl chairs. There’s also a stage inspired by Bob’s Country Bunker from The Blues Brothers, and a pianola bar that can be used for private events.
And finally, at the rooftop bar, the theme is “desert dream”. This comes through in fake cacti and rocks, and pale pink, green and burnt orange furniture. Two converted shipping containing make up a bar and “cantina” where you might order taco trays and sizzling fajitas.
The food and drink menu extends the brand’s interpretation of the Wild West theme, featuring pub classics with an American barbeque lean. There’s a wide range of loosely North American dishes including a Santa Fe salad, with cos lettuce, charred corn salsa, Mexican string cheese and southwest dressing; a New Orleans-influenced creole-style smothered chicken; and a pie of the day with whipped cream for dessert.
The venue has over 100 taps serving Moon Dog brews, of course. Other drinks include wines by the glass, classic cocktails and bespoke ones including Catfish Blues (tequila, mezcal, lime, passionfruit, blue curacao and soda). There are also alcoholic slushees and “Cowboy Shots” (shots served in cowboy boot-shaped shot glasses).
Moon Dog Wild West, in Footscray’s iconic Franco Cozzo building, is the third venue from the brewery, which brothers Jake and Josh Uljans and their friend Karl van Buuren founded in 2011. The trio maintained the Franco Cozzo signage on the exterior, as well as a mural of the late local celebrity who founded the eponymous furniture store.
Moon Dog Wild West was set to open on Thursday, April 18, but faced council delays. The team is working with the Maribyrnong City Council council to confirm a new opening date as soon as possible.
