Matt Mulga: Lola’s Pergola, Babylon Bar boss set to open Beer Garden of Eden in Darwin

The hospitality heavyweight behind popular watering holes Lola’s Pergola and Babylon Bar has revealed he is putting the finishing touches on his third venue – which he says will be unlike anything he’s done yet.

Beer Garden of Eden at intersection of Austin Ln and Spain Pl. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The man behind two of Darwin’s most popular watering holes has revealed work is at an advanced stage on his third venue, an outdoor container bar and beer garden off Austin Lane that has tentatively been called the Beer Garden of Eden.

Matt Mulga, who owns Lola’s Pergola at Cullen Bay Marina and Babylon Bar at Air Raid Arcade, said container bars had mushroomed up “everywhere all over the country” and it was time for Darwin to get in on the action.

Beer Garden of Eden, which is partially inspired by the vibe of Brisbane’s Eat Street Northshore, is to be located in the carpark bordered by Austin Ln, Spain Pl, Air Raid Arcade and Stone House Wine Bar & Kitchen.

It will feature a container bar to serve alcoholic drinks, a variety of seating options in the beer garden, and space to situate up to three food trucks at a time for big events.

Beer Garden of Eden at intersection of Austin Ln and Spain Pl. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Austin Ln is such an amazing spot. With such beautiful dry season weather, that’s where you want to be,” Mr Mulga said.

While the owner expects Beer Garden of Eden to initially cater mainly to events – he hopes the venue will play a role in next week’s BASSINTHECITY party, and feature at the ongoing Austin Lane Markets – Mr Mulga said its future is not set in stone.

Beer Garden of Eden at intersection of Austin Ln and Spain Pl. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“It’ll morph; it’ll find legs and grow,” he said.

“Hopefully, [we’ll be open] all the time.

“Darwin needs it, for crying out loud.”

Mr Mulga said in a perfect world, Beer Garden of Eden would be “open for the end of the dry and be in full swing by next year”.

Matt Mulga is set to open his third Darwin venue. Picture: Che Chorley

“It’s sort of ready now,” he said.

The beer garden still has several hurdles to clear before it becomes a reality – the application for a liquor licence will be heard in the coming weeks, while the applicant company, Mulga Venture Pty Ltd, is also required to finalise outstanding matters with the Development Consent Authority.