The Bungalow: Ringwood venue at former Dakota nightclub site announces opening weekend

Ringwood’s newest beer garden is finally opening to the public after years of ongoing delays. Here’s what you need to know.

Outer east partygoers will finally be rewarded for their patience when the area’s newest beer garden opens to the public this weekend.

The Bungalow, one of three new offerings at the former Dakota Nightclub site in Ringwood, is staging its opening weekend celebrations from Friday, February 26.

The 200-capacity venue, on the first level of the Maroondah Highway site, has been holding private events since late December and was originally set to open on the Australia Day long weekend.

But management delayed the opening due to capacity restrictions stemming from the coronavirus outbreak.

Owner Joe Cossari previously told Leader he wanted to “open with a bang” and not a half-full venue.

He confirmed The Bungalow would open to the public for lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, with both days already heavily booked.

An all-day party is planned on Sunday, February 28 with local DJ Benson behind the decks.

“The vibe has been enormous and over the weekend inquiries haven’t stopped,” Mr Cossari said.

“We are ready, and we’re excited to get the pub going and get some food out.”

The $10 million complex also includes the Baby nightclub, the Hyde function centre and the Fat Franks hotdog shop.

Mr Cossari said the nightclub and the hotdog shop were on track to open in mid-March, potentially for the Labour Day long weekend.

He said management hoped to secure Gold Coast-based DJ Fisher to open the club provided he could travel to Victoria.

Mr Cossari said he was also accepting bookings for weddings and functions at Hyde.

“We’re looking forward to getting those people from Ringwood who have been waiting so long to see what we’ve done through the doors,” he said.