Opening shop after a three-week turnaround is no small feat, but it’s true to the fluid spirit of the Mr West team, which has a new northside venture in Brunswick named after its address – 4 Saxon St.

Co-owners Caleb Baker and Josh Hodges have long wanted to expand their Footscray bar and boutique bottle shop to a second venue and were actively looking at spaces pre-pandemic before stalling the project.

When the site of now-closed diner Theodore’s came onto the market earlier this year, Baker and Hodges saw a perfect canvas for a wine bar to showcase their favourite wild spirits and wines.

For now, though, it’s operating as a casual hangout specialising in agave-based drinks and tacos.

Hit pop-up kitchen and food truck Dingo Ate My Taco have been recruited for snack duties. Along with favourites such as birria tacos, there are 4 Saxon St exclusives, like the kingfish tacos with fennel slaw and pineapple pico.

Bartender Nathan Beasley (ex-Black Pearl, Byrdi) is mixing spicy mezcal margaritas with salted pineapple, wasabi leaf and whey, and a take on strawberry horchata with rye whiskey, macadamia and rice. The natural wine and craft beer selection reflects the Mr West team’s expertise.

The pop-up will continue until early next year before the space undergoes a second renovation into its final form. That could include a potential name change, layout tweaks and a rotary evaporator for distillation experiments. The early idea is to eventually sell the concoctions – either wholesale, retail or both.

It’s then that the beverage program will hone in on Baker and Hodges’ love for wild-fermented spirits, wines and beer.

“We think [these products] are such an incredible showcase of nature and terroir that you don’t find elsewhere,” says Baker.

And the vibe? Rather than replicate their big and boisterous Footscray flagship, the owners envision a more focused wine bar with snacks and share plates mirroring the drinks.

“We want a lively and comfortable space where you can either pop in or really settle in,” says Baker.

Open Thurs-Sat 5pm-late.

4 Saxon Street, Brunswick, 4saxonst.com