Mr West

Melbourne is full of great liquor stores, but few are as nerdy and obsessive about drinks as this two-storey bar and bottle shop in bustling Nicholson Street Mall. Want to drink local skin-contact wine or something by one of Europe’s most revered natural labels? You’re sorted. How about wild-fermented Belgian beer, an obscure mezcal or creative house-made non-alcoholic option? You bet. The venue’s main attraction is a set of 24 taps pouring not just beer but cider, wine and cocktails too.

That said, you don’t have to be a drinks aficionado to have a good time here. Mr West is distinctly down to earth. Since opening in 2017, this quality has made it a popular hangout for local students and families, who favour the picnic tables out front to sip easy-drinking beers and watch the action on the mall. Inside there are comfy booth seats and an upstairs courtyard that catches good afternoon sun.

The food menu errs on the snacky side, and includes a good selection of cheese, charcuterie, and a ploughman’s board generous enough for a small crew. Mr West is also walking distance to Footscray’s longstanding banh mi shops, Indian and African restaurants, all of which you’re welcome to BYO from.