Downtown Melbourne, prepare for steins of beer, wienerschnitzel and dueling pianos.

Troy von Stephan, who opened Village BierGarten in Cocoa Village two years ago, is now bringing his version of German fun to the south end of the county.

Village BierGarten Melbourne, located in the arcade between Continental Flambé and what will soon be a second location for Pub Americana, has been in a soft-opening stage for the past few weeks. It will celebrate its official grand opening at 5 p.m. Friday, with a dueling pianos all-request show starting at 9 p.m.

People were traveling from Melbourne to visit the Cocoa Village restaurant and entertainment complex, Stephan said, and they were asking for something closer.

"I own these buildings, so I thought, 'Why not?'"

The BierGarten is situated in the Railroad Emporium arcade on New Haven Avenue. The whole thing is enclosed, but artificial grass and picnic tables give the long space the feel of being outside. There's a stage for the dueling pianos — scheduled to perform every Friday and Saturday night — and other entertainment.

Additional seating is available inside the restaurant and bar that formerly housed 321 Tapas. While the space is being absorbed by the BierGarten, Stephan said it will continue to host Latin dance nights every Saturday.

The BierGarten and Continental Flambé share an expansive kitchen with Stephan's father-in-law, chef Herbe Pagot, overseeing the food operation. Pagot spent many years running a restaurant on the beach in Cannes, France, Stephan said.

Continental Flambé, known for its three-course prix fixe menu, will continue to offer dishes with a French flair. The BierGarten menu includes German favorites such as wienerschnitzel, jagerschnitzel and giant pretzels. It also will take advantage of Pagot's expertise, with dishes such as escargots de bourgognone, and cognac scallops.

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The Melbourne location of Pub Americana is expected to open in mid-January, said Pat Evangelista, who took over the original Cocoa Village restaurant in 2017. The new Pub Americana is in the space previously occupied by Olé Fire Grill.

Evangelista's chef, Raphael Arca, will manage the kitchens in Cocoa and Melbourne.

Pub Americana features sliding doors that open onto the arcade, giving guests easy access to the BierGarten and the entertainment there.

"I really like the concept that we have here," Evangelista said. "It's a good fit for the downtown area."

He and Stephan hope to attract families and adults in their 40s and 50s.

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The final piece in the dining and entertainment complex is Mima's Wine & Coffee, which had its soft opening on New Year's Eve. The quaint, cheerful space inside The Love Hut's former storefront offers exactly what its name implies: wine and coffee.

Mima's original location is in Indialantic, with smaller spaces at Kennedy Space Center and in the Cocoa Village BierGarten.

Village BierGarten Melbourne

Where: 924 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, in the Railroad Emporium

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday; 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Saturday

Info: 321-345-5864 and facebook.com/VillageBierGartenMelb

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