A Karaoke Bar With A Dog-Friendly Beer Garden Has Opened In Brunswick

If you've been loitering up the northern end of Lygon Street late at night with a song in your heart, your time has come. Start working on your Beyoncé standard key changes and Mariah-level trills because Benjys — a karaoke bar with a dog-friendly beer garden — opened last week.

The venue has a karaoke bar, live bands and musicians, an all-day kitchen (serving vegetarian and vegan fare) and — perhaps most importantly — a beer garden that welcomes all your four-legged friends. It also has an interesting interior design — think Barbie, disco balls and a colour scheme inspired by those candy necklaces you used to munch on in high school. The bar is, if nothing else, eclectic, but it certainly makes for a banger of a night out.

Founder Tim Firth is steadfast in his belief in karaoke and music in general. "Music is the key to a happy place," Firth says. "We hope Benjys will be a place where people can connect through music."

The bar has a host of events already lined up, too. There'll be Throwback Thursdays — with your faves from the '80s and '90s — drag shows and Disco Bingo! every Wednesday. The latter is a rollicking music game show hosted by a gal named Disco Dolly. In addition, there'll be themed nights every Sunday — Valentine's Day, Christmas in July and Halloween will all get a look in, says Firth, as will Pink when she comes to town later in the year.

Best start oiling up those vocal cords and finding a partner to sing 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' with (even if it's your pup) — Benjys looks like it'll be the place to visit during the cold months.

Benjys is now open at 285 Lygon Street, Brunswick East. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 5.30pm to 10.30pm.