Ringwood: The Bungalow beer garden to open at old Dakota nightclub site by Australia Day

A three-level nightclub and beer garden’s grand opening date has been set — and it will please those who struggle to get over a night out.

It’s been more than three years in the making, but finally, the rebuild of Ringwood’s burnt out Dakota nightclub is here.

Leader can reveal operators of the new $10 million entertainment complex at 123-127 Maroondah Highway are planning a grand opening in late January on the Australia Day long weekend.

The three-level building includes a renamed nightclub, Baby, and the Fat Franks hotdog shop on the ground level, along with The Bungalow beer garden on level one and the Hyde function centre on level two.

Of those, The Bungalow is already available for small functions ahead of its public opening next month.

Owner Joe Cossari gave Leader the first look inside The Bungalow and the rest of the complex after construction finished in July.

The Bungalow boasts an outdoor dining area with palm trees and beach boxes for patrons to put their belongings.

It also has themed indoor dining areas, and its menu will offer pub meal favourites and bottomless brunches on Sundays.

Ringwood's The Bungalow is hosting private functions and will open to the public in January 2021. Picture: Kiel Egging.

The complex has had ongoing delays since construction began in June 2019, followed by the coronavirus outbreak.

Mr Cossari said he always planned to have the venue ready by summer, with minor works on Baby and Hyde still being done.

“Once restrictions lifted we’ve been able to do the finishing touches over the last four weeks, and there’s still things happening as we speak, hence why we are opening at the end of January,” he said.

“It’s a very challenging environment, but we’ve put enough time and effort into this project for us not to see it through, and we know there’s ample patronage on the other side of COVID.”

Mr Cossari’s former venue, the Dakota nightclub, was destroyed in a suspicious fire in May 2016.

The new nightclub features a massive tribute wall containing pictures of former Dakota clubbers.

Owner Joe Cossari next to the Club Dakota tribute wall, which will be inside the rebuilt Baby nightclub in Ringwood. Picture: Kiel Egging.

“There’s no doubt venues around Australia are looking for diversity, they’re looking for a pub, a club and areas that suit what people are interested in,” he said.

“With the opportunity for us arising to rebuild the site, we thought we needed to look into the future if we wanted to have longevity for the next 20 years.

“And that’s exactly why we decided to do a multi-level entertainment complex that satisfies all your needs and desires.”

Mr Cossari said at least 50 new jobs would be created at the venue, and he had big plans to lure celebrities, DJs, footballers and musicians for guest appearances.

“We have some big names that have committed verbally, and it’s going to surprise Ringwood the amount of celebrities and clientele that are willing to come here,” he said.

People can book functions at The Bungalow by phoning 03 7033 1700 or visiting thebungalowbeergarden.com.au