Moon Dogworld
Moon Dog’s new brewery bar is a family-friendly behemoth that could have sprung from the imagination of Willy Wonka.
THE NAME MAKES it sound like a theme park, and that’s not far off. An indoor lagoon takes up one side of the space, fed by a stream that flows from a five-metre indoor waterfall made of fake rocks. The space, a huge warehouse in the industrial back streets of Preston, recalls childhood memories of cheesy water parks; there’s even a merch stand where you can buy packaged beers, T-shirts and fluoro stubby holders. Double-stacked shipping containers have booths inside and balconies on top. One is filled with pinball machines and lounge furniture; another houses a tropical-themed bar bedazzled with fairy lights. Despite the immensity of the space the place is packed. The full-sized playground overflows with the progeny of Preston, and prams are parked around the rest of the room. Parents pull toddlers away from the enticing waters of the lagoon. But despite the family vibe, the young and the childless are well represented, and there’s even a buck’s party pre-gaming for a big night on the town. Today, the machine is humming, and you don’t have to wait long for anything. Behind the huge three-sided bar, more taps than you can count are pulled by a phalanx of bartenders, all friendly and accommodating, if a bit shell-shocked. Splice of Heaven Pineapple IPA does what it says on the box: it’s a creamy, tropical and not-toohoppy pale ale that’s perfect for a hot day. David Boysen-bowie is a juicy boysenberry sour that, like most of the beers here, is more about smashability than pushing boundaries. Accessible fun is the name of the game, and they play it well. The silly/serious sensibilities of venue manager Chris Hysted-adams (Black Pearl, Fancy Free) are on show, too, with a cocktail list that includes Espresso Martinis on tap, coconut-washed Tennessee whiskey and slushy machines full of Piña Colada. The food menu is a mishmash of beergarden favourites including chicken ribs, mini corn dogs, burgers, slow-roasted lamb shoulder and a kids’ menu that doubles as a colouring-in sheet. A dish of sashimi tuna constructed with thick slabs of raw fish alongside crunchy chunks of marinated cucumber and wasabi mayo would be a winner in any of Melbourne’s trendy Asian-fusion restaurants. This is the Melbourne suburbs, 2019, and it’s even better than spending the arvo at Bunnings. 32 Chifley Dr, Preston 3072. 03 9428 2307. moondogbrewing.com.au/world. MonWed 11am-10pm; Thu & Sun 11am-11pm; Fri,
Sat 11am-1am.
Fun is the name of the game here