It's rare to find a sophisticated bar outside of the CBD these days, and it's even rarer to find…read moreone that won't break your weekly drinking budget in one night. Hawker Beer and Wine Bar is located in the suburb of Highett just 30mins from Melbourne CBD. The bar is named after Harry Hawker, a local of the area. Harry George Hawker, was an Australian aviation pioneer. He was the chief test pilot for Sopwith and was also involved in the design of many of their aircraft. After World War One he co-founded Hawker Aircraft, the firm that would later be responsible for a long series of successful military aircraft. The bar itself is small and is directly across the road from the Highett train station, which seems to have some type of train passing through every 15mins. The fit-out is minimalistic, with large windows that give you a great view of the comings and goings in the area. What is great about this bar is the large cocktail list. With mostly original cocktails with a few traditional with a modern twist. The service is friendly and attentive, and I get the feeling if I lived in the area this would be my local. Apart from the great cocktails it has a good selection of beers and wines. It also had a pretty awesome snack menu, being provided by Typhoon, the Vietnamese restaurant next door. If you live in the area chances are you have either visited Hawker or know of it. If you haven't been do yourself a favour and pay them a visit, it won't disappoint.

By far my favorite place that I've found in Melbourne, possibly in Aus! I can't speak highly enough…read moreof every aspect of this bar. Intimate setting, yet quite comfortable. Always an excellent music selection, with footy on the tv if that's what you're lookin for. The staff is WONDERFUL. so personable, quite willing to give their recommendations if you ask (and you should- they haven't steered me wrong yet!). The nachos, add beef, are easily the best nachos I've ever had- loaded with toppings, seasoned chips, absolutely delicious. Quite a diverse menu, with plenty of options depending on your hunger level. Great wine and beer selection, and a solid cocktail list too!

Food is awesome - Baked mushrooms - I could just have a plate of them on their own…read more The staff are easy to chat with and service was well timed.

The creep of cool continues further north, with Cult of the Vine serving up a delicious and…read moreinteresting array of wines and a smattering of craft beer. Hidden at the end of Florence Street near the train station exit (genius maneuver to capture all those suited souls on their way home) you can pop in and take a bottle home, or crack it open right there and then to enjoy with proper glassware, ambient tunes and a plate of something to nibble on. The food options are limited, but they're really all I need when I want something simple and tasty to match with a good bottle. Charcuterie, cured fish, cheese and oddly enough whole boiled eggs which you can crack and peel while sipping on some vino. Apparently a boiled egg goes with any kind of wine but they'd run out when I visited so I couldn't put this to the test. Instead we ate truffled infused Spanish sausage, smoked almonds and loads of cheese along with some very good crackers. Service was relaxed and generous from owner Brad Lucas, who was happy to nerd out a little with us and offered samples of new and different drops. We left warm, full and contented... with two bottles of vino tucked under my arm.

Go here... Spectacularly curated 'natural' wine list…read more Some craft beers Ask the host for an egg. Take the train to Anstey station. Take the train home.

Went here lastnight to try out a "local" restaurant and was pleasantly surprised. Decor nice,…read morewaitresses were great and food / wine menu was plentiful. Will be back to check out sports bar upstairs as they have live music and a wrap around veranda !

Beautiful place and the food matches the quality, I real fine dining gem in Pakenham!read more

This place was awesome, nothing short of awesome. That had a lot to do with it basically being a…read morecraft beer bar. Well, it is a little more than that because I sort of got the impression that it was also a wine bar, but in a way it seems to go way beyond being just a wine bar and actually being a pretty decent place in which to get a decent beer. Yeah, this place turned out to be pretty good, and the service was quite fine as well. Sure it was a little small, but you can't have everything.

I thought I had missed this place, but is just seems to have been turned from one type of bar into…read moreanother. This means that I did get a chance to have a beer here, even though it technically isn't the same place. Still, it wasn't too bad, actually, come to think of it, it was actually pretty good. They have a nice area out the back, and a great selection of beers. Oh, and the service is pretty good as well. Also, it's close to the station too, which is definitely an added bonus.

Top venue. Highly recommended for drinks. There is also a great pizza place next door that food can…read morebe purchased at and brought in.

Has to be the best restaurant in Patto!…read more Food is divine, great service and cool ambience. Menu tapas faves are pork belly, truffle infused ham and cheese sandwiches, pate and potatoes with chorizo and beans - you'll just want to try everything on the menu! Finished off with the gazpacho which was clean and fresh - no room for dessert this time. Will return to try the semifreddo I had my eye on!

Lacks consistency…read more I've eaten in this high class tapas establishment five times since this place opened a few years ago. First impressions were amazing. The philosophy from talking to senior staff is "CBD-calibre fine dining in Patterson Lakes." However, although my first two experiences were amazing, on all subsequent experiences the food was nowhere near as good. Food tasted bland and overcooked. Which at this price is not acceptable.

Visiting pubs is cool, but visiting themed bars is even better. I ended up here one day when I was…read morenot working and had just been to the cinema in Brighton, so I was making my way home and decided to visit some places that I hadn't normally visited - and this was one of those places. The name really does suit the place, or more so the place really does fit the name. There are a few rooms about with some lovely, and quite comfortable, chairs. In fact, it is the rooms that really give this place it's charm, including the outdoor area out the back. Okay, it was pretty quiet when I visited, but that also adds to the charm.

I don't know why I allow this quaint little bar slip out of my mind so often when I think of places…read moreto go out for a nice quiet drink with a couple of people or hold a small function. Antique Bar has a beautiful sophistication in the air and fine cocktails, wine and beer in the glasses. The décor will take you back to an age where everyone wore a suite just to go to the corner store. I think I have just talked myself into where I will be going tonight for a couple of quiet drinks.

When we booked, we choose to be seated along the bar table where we could watch Stefan work his…read moremagic pumping out the Charuterie and Cheese, Entrees, Mains and dessert by himself in such a small space. Food was delicious and so satisfying and meals were perfectly timed between each serve. Dat and I shared each meal with each other so we ordered most dishes and can't wait to go again to try what we couldn't fit it. * Entree* Perfectly cooked scallops. Escargot with a mushroom sauce and bread to soak up the sauce. *Mains* Salmon in a puff pastry filled with rice and egg and a lemony white sauce. Special of the Day was Steak with Duck fat potatoes, salad and Pate *Dessert* Vanilla Creme Brûlée Poached Pear with a house made chocolate sauce topped with Vanilla ice cream and Almonds for a nutty Crunch I've never had steak and pate together so this blew my mind, I will never make it without it again. We made a booking online and dinner was prepaid at time of booking. Make sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment. Thanks for being a lovely host Stefan, can't wait to visit you again

We had just finished trawling the bars and restaurants of Footscray when we spontaneously popped in…read morehere for a desert. It was fantastic. As they take reservations we will book for a return visit very soon!

This new hidden cocktail bar is already one of my favourites. Entering through a side door down a…read morelaneway, and climbing the stairs, opening the door as if to a house and being greeted so politely. The choice of the cocktail bad, whiskey and cigar room or the rooftop, delights me and caters or all your needs. The cocktails are strong, creative and use spirits and aperitifs in the most unique ways to deliver the most perfect cocktail. There are so many liqueurs, sprints and aperitifs that you wouldn't have even heard of. All the food sounds Devine, and the chocolate truffles are a slice of heaven. Cannot recommend highly enough.