Located on Keppel Street, the diner is unabashedly Americana – from the food, to the brews, the music and the decor.

Dogwood, BX takes its name from the flowering dogwood tree, and it is also a nod to some of his friends in North Carolina where the tree is the state’s floral emblem.

The BX is a nod to how cities and states are written in America, such as ‘Sleepy Hollow, CA’.

Owner, and multiple award-winning bartender of the year, Evan Stanley has worked in the hospitality industry his entire life.

“We’re an American style diner with a cracking cocktail bar set up, heaps of whiskies and tasty beers,” he said.

Well-known Bathurst chef James Vidulich is on board at Dogwood, BX and he has created a menu full of southern fare such as spicy hot wings, cornbread, dill-pickle grilled chicken, Texas-style chilli, burgers and hot dogs, just to name a few.

Mr Stanley said the food remains true to how it would be cooked and served in America.

Of the more than a dozen barbecues traditionally served up in southern America, Mr Stanley has included one on the Dogwood, BX menu that was taught to him by a friend in eastern North Carolina.

“There’s also heaps of non-meat options on the menu,” he said.

Mr Stanley said it has taken Dogwood, BX’s crew three months to get the diner ready to open, and with the official opening just days away, he was feeling a mix of relief and excitement.

“Everything is here for a reason, nothing is here by accident,” he said.