Australian Venue Co has unveiled the new adjunct to its Footscray gastropub Station Hotel, adding alfresco appeal and a family flavour.
AVC bought The Station in late 2014, already known as an award-winning drawcard for Melbourne foodies.
A recent renovation brings a new outdoor beer garden in what was an adjoining carpark, providing a large area with shaded decking, a mix of seating options, an outdoor bar, and artificial grass. There is also a wooden kids’ fort and climbing wall.
The family-friendly steps up a notch on Sundays when the garden welcomes a pop-up animal farm, bringing bunnies, lambs and other furry creatures to entertain the young at heart.
The new space has prompted a new menu, retaining the usual pub suspects and the Station’s famous steaks, with bar snacks including juicy wagyu beef sliders, brisket croquettes, and lamb tomahawks with pumpkin and rosemary dip.
Drinks follow suit, offering a selection of choice local craft beers, wines and a neat cocktail list geared for “post-work drinks or sundowners on weekends”.
Established 2012, AVC now counts a portfolio of over 150 licensed venues around the country, and an ongoing pipeline of capital investment projects.
To celebrate the official launch at The Station, the pub is hosting an all-welcome gourmet BBQ from 3-5pm Saturday, 14 December, with guests to be offered canape stylings of the menu to sample.
