The Cinema Collective, Dock One and The Loose Goose to open in Darwin

Three teams of legends have leant into the phrase ‘build it and they will come’ - each opening a brand-new venue for Darwin to enjoy, writes Kate Dinning.

Dock One opens at the Darwin Waterfront this weekend.

This week in Darwin, it’s a celebration of people having a crack, something that’s always been a bit of a hallmark of a ‘Territorian’.

Encouraging a transient population to stay and attracting tourists and return visitors is always high on the agenda for this city, and this week three teams of legends have leant into the phrase ‘build it and they will come’ - each opening a brand-new venue for us to enjoy.

You likely heard about Sweethearts earlier in the week: The duelling Piano Bar on Mitchell Street will be part of a whole new entertainment complex - The Cinema Collective - in the coming months.

I went there last night, and the new venue certainly brings a completely different experience to Mitchell Street.

The food was great and seeing almost everyone in the bar singing along to the piano requests was completely wholesome. Go and check it out!

New cafe and wine bar The Loose Goose opens in Darwin CBD this weekend.

Further down Mitchell Street, if you walk down the alley next to Six Tanks, under the red arch, you’ll find Darwin’s newest café and wine bar – The Loose Goose, a venue by the Venturin family.

While the signs are still coming, it is open and ready for you to check out, so I popped in for breakfast and a coffee yesterday morning and sat down with venue manager, Rhys Venturin.

The Loose Goose Bar has taken up residence in what was a vacant café space in the Transit Centre - where Ruby G’s used to be, if you’ve been here for a few years.

It’s been completely revamped, and a sleek bar now sits where the bakery counter used to be – but the hero is the wrap-around ‘pandanus’ cut screens surrounding the large outdoor area.

Breakfast at The Loose Goose.

Try and spot the Loose Goose!

“Being in this location on Mitchell Street, it’s a good opportunity to offer two experiences. It’s predominately a wine, cocktail and tapas bar in the evenings, which is a bit of a new vibe for the heart of Mitchell Street – but we’re also right in the CBD, so we offer an easy breakfast menu and coffees during the week too,” Rhys said.

The dinner menu features things like red curry barra, crocodile and lemon myrtle spring rolls, and BBQ spiced Kangaroo – so I’m definitely coming back.

The Loose Goose Bar is open from 7am until late, Monday to Saturday.

Dock One opens at the Darwin Waterfront this weekend.

But that’s not all.

There’s also a new venue on Stokes Hill Wharf.

I popped in for a cocktail to chat with Darren Lynch, co-director of Dock One bar, which you’ll find nestled just off the wharf where you board the 00Seven Jetskis and Sail Darwin.

“We’re really excited to bring a beach vibe, but with a curated level of sophistication – Dock One is not like any other bar in Darwin right now,” he said.

The twinkling of the sun on the water as it started to set behind the city – and the sea breeze through the new white balcony – I have to say it was pretty mesmerising.

It’s an intimate venue of only 60 seats, and there are 270-degree views of the water - you’re literally sitting over it.

Like all good things, and brand-new builds, this one took time.

“Our original plan got drafted about two years ago, everything in construction takes time – but my business partners and I are very excited to now be open as a facility for everyone, and for all different occasions,” Darren said.

Dock One opens at the Darwin Waterfront this weekend.

Darren is right - it’s only a short walk from the city and the Waterfront so it’s a lovely spot for lunch, for an afternoon drink – or even a good itinerary addition for people walking out to the Stokes Hill Wharf for a tour or dinner.

Dock One bar is open seven days a week from 10am until midnight, and there’s an all-day tapas menu – with a lunch and dinner menu on top of that.

So if you’ve got no plans this weekend - now you do.

A big congratulations to all teams involved in opening three great new venues.

Throw your support behind local businesses and Territorians having a crack whenever you can, because they’re what makes this place we call home, so great.