After almost a decade of brewing unashamedly intense craft beer and cider, we’ve finally swung open the humongous front door of KAIJU! Cantina in Huntingdale and have officially completed our first week of trade.
Set in a converted warehouse decked out with hand-painted murals, KAIJU! Cantina is the perfect setting to wait out the Kaijupocalypse. After admiring the retro Toyota Coaster (housing its own seating area), grab a beer and a pizza and take a load off among the mid-century décor, cosy nooks, communal seating, and a dog-friendly outdoor seated area.
Chief Boss Callum Reeves said: "Huntingdale might not seem like the most obvious place for a beer hall, but it makes sense when you get to know our background.”
He continued, “Nat and I grew up in Melbourne’s South East, and ever since Nat started home brewing at his place in Dandenong, we’ve dreamed of having a taproom in the area. We love going to explore and experience the inner north, but we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to bring a new type of venue to this part of town. It really means a lot to us.”
There are 16 beer taps including all the KAIJU! favourites, plus a hand full of limited releases coming from an on-site 600-litre brew kit.
KAIJU! Cantina also features a state-of-the-art pizza oven, delivering a menu that covers the classic pizza styles, but also toys with the experimental, including an actual Cheeseburger pizza!
“The idea for KAIJU! Cantina is that it doesn't just cater to craft beer connoisseurs, but that the food is just as big a draw card in making it a destination venue. Head Chef Jay has been hand-stretching bases for 20 years and as a result, has an uncanny ability to make a superb pizza — every single time. I can’t wait for people to discover and fall in love with his food,” said Callum.
The pizza menu includes the likes of Funghi (garlic, seasonal mushrooms, parmesan, truffle oil, mozzarella), Potato (caramelised onion, semi sun dried tomato pesto, provolone, rosemary) and Capricciosa (San Marzano tomato, ham, mushroom, olives, artichoke and mozzarella). Smaller snacks and bites are also on offer, such as the garlic, rosemary and balsamic focaccia and a classic rocket, pear and parmesan salad. A variety of vegan, gluten-free and kids meal options have also made the cut, with the nutella and mascarpone calzone already tipped to be a family favourite.
In line with the beer brand’s fun and playful vibes, bright, colourful murals by our long-time collaborator Mikey Burton — the artist behind most our iconic artwork — adorn the walls. A key feature is a stunning panorama of the city skyline peppered with iconic Melbourne landmarks such as the MCG, Flinders Street Station and St Kilda Beach all visualised in Burton’s signature KAIJU! style.
A rare, 1960s Toyota Coaster Arakawa Body provides a separate seated area for pint-sized patrons, while the rest of the space embraces exposed pale brick and white wrought iron lace décor as a nod to the local area’s renowned post-war architecture.
“The space is going to feel very celebratory because we are fast approaching 10 years since we launched our original product, Golden Axe Cider. I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to mark the occasion than by opening the doors to our first ever venue,” added Callum.
Bookings can be made here on the KAIJU! Website, - just click on ‘Cantina’ or you can contact the venue manager directly at
huntingdale@kaijubeer.com.au
