The Mighty, a new hospitality and community hub in Moonee Ponds, stocked with some of the best craft brands in the country, has been opened by Mighty Craft CEO, Mark Haysman.
Melbourne interior architecture firm Studio Y - the creative team behind Melbourne's Nick & Nora’s, Maha East, Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel and Stomping Ground – were charged with the extensive reimagining of Moonee Ponds' Sporting Globe. The renovated space spreads over three levels and features a modern public bar and atrium, cocktail bar, terrace and casual bistro, which seats 110 people.
“The Mighty is all about creating a community and hub for our craft brands. We have some amazing partners from all around the country including Jetty Road Brewery, Foghorn Brewery, Torquay Beverage Company, Slipstream Brewing, Sauce Brewing Co, Kangaroo Island Spirits, Brogan’s Way, and Green Ant Gin.
“You can experience all our products under the one roof and learn all about the art of craft in a fun and dynamic environment, while enjoying great food," says Haysman.
Haysman chose Moonee Ponds because of the rapidly growing community of young people in the area and neighbouring suburbs; a population who like to stay local and are increasingly receptive to craft beer and spirits.
“We believe Moonee Ponds to be an underserviced market and there’s an opening for a ‘new local’ like The Mighty where people can pop in for a quick drink after work or enjoy a leisurely lunch or relaxed dinner with friends,” he says.
There is an A team working the space, including hospitality veteran Dennis Ferreira (Vue De Monde, Jacques Reymond, Attica) who is up front of house and former Dinner by Heston Blumenthal chef Adrian Corigliano in the kitchen.
Corigliano describes the menu as ‘casual, thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented’. With his precise
cooking skills and appreciation for fine, high quality ingredients, he has
incorporated an abundance of fresh, local produce to create a menu full of
modern gastropub dishes.
Behind the bar, patrons can look forward to sampling any of the 14 beers, ciders and seltzers on tap. The popular beers including Jetty Road Brewery Pale Ale and Draught, Slipstream Brewing Co G Force IPA and Sauce Brewing Bubble & Squeak NEIPA are all there and there’s even a beer paddle option with four beers to choose from and an ever-changing array of small batch beers and guest taps.
There is also a range of wines, spirits and cocktails, including the signature Brogan’s Barrel o Negroni and the Kangaroo Island Spritz.
The Mighty will also host special events throughout the year including Gin Masterclasses, Meet the Brewer Sessions, Gin and Beer Dinners and a Laneway Craft drinks festival, giving customers the chance to get up close and personal with the founders and makers of their brands.
For those passing by, there is a retail space with a tasting bar where all of Mighty Craft’s products can be sampled and purchased to take away.
“We see The Mighty as a place for the greatest collection of craft; unique beers, spirits and ready to serve beverages created by current and future legends of the industry. Here you’ll find the hidden gems, local legends, the real deals, the undiscovered and rising stars. We’ve curated the stuff that Melbourne is craving,” says Haysman.
The Mighty Moonee Ponds is Mighty Craft’s second venue. The first Mighty opened in the Hunter Valley in early October and up to 12 Mighty venues are planned to open around Australia in the next two years.
Located at 690 Mt Alexander Road, Moonee Ponds, The Mighty is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to late.
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