Moonee Ponds is not a suburb that pops up a lot on our radar, but we’re definitely seeing it more and more as new venues set up shop in the suburb most famous for its racecourse and creek.
The team behind Ascot Vale’s The Ascot Lot have taken over the heritage-listed Russo’s site on Holmes Road and has begun the massive task of turning the 500-square metre site into a 400-seat mess hall, craft beer store and lounge, and laneway bar.
Even though work is ongoing, you can visit the craft beer and boutique wine lounge already. Fizz and Hop is open at the western end of the building and boasts an enormous range of boutique beers and wines.
Fizz and Hop host Friday night tastings of some of Australia’s best independent brews, and will soon have a selection of toasties and charcuterie available to help the booze go down even easier.
Holmes Hall is the centrepiece of the whole project. The bar will feature 25 lines of beer, local wines, spirits, and, of course, cocktails.
The team have brought Byron Bay chef Angus Adams on board who has created a menu that’s been described as “Americano tapas” with highlights such as truffle mac ‘n’ cheese balls, bottomless buffalo wings, and more expected when Holmes Hall opens to the public.
“Moonee Ponds has enough Pizza and Pasta so we thought it be best to take a step in a new direction and shake things up a little.” Says Adams.
The Ascot Lot is known for its out-there events, and Holmes Hall will be no different, with regular events held in the venue.
“There’s definitely always going to be something to do” said co-owner David Bartl, “come and play some Pinball or Shuffleboard with your friends, listen to some chilled live music and enjoy some delicious food and drinks, it’s definitely our goal to have something for everyone to enjoy.”
The venue will be available for functions from May 2020.
The Details
What: Holmes Hall
Where: 15 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds
When: Fizz and Hop is open now, the rest will open in stages from May 2020
Keep up to date with the latest openings around Melbourne on our New Eats page.
Image credit: Fizz and Hop