The Mount Alexander Hotel

The Mount Alexander Hotel nails the essentials. The menu is small but, as a good pub does, has something for everyone. The obligatory parma, cheeseburger and market fish are all accounted for, and there’s also a nice range of pastas and salads. For snacks there are small bites such as croquettes and focaccia with house dips, as well as larger share-style plates such as beef carpaccio. There’s a considered range of steaks here, sourced from the likes of O’Connor and Rangers Valley.

Drinks are equally crowd-pleasing. Nearly every wine from the mostly Australian list is available by the glass and bottle. There are beers on tap and a bunch of other bottles and cans in the fridge. In addition to classics, the bar also has a range of signature cocktails to try – go for the Queens Gambit, a Gisbon Martini made with house-made pickled onion brine.

The venue’s versatility extends beyond its food and drink offering – the space is partitioned to suit a variety of different moods and occasions. Upstairs is a cocktail bar and function space – where DJs swing by to play funk- and soul-focused vinyl. If the weather’s cooperating, the large upstairs space also has a retractable roof for letting in the rays. The capacity downstairs is split across the atrium and bistro areas.

Its co-owners are a group of hospo pros: Noel Murphy (Mjolner), Andrew Wright (Mjolner, Nick & Nora’s, Pearl Diver), James Duncan and Kane Tancredi (both behind Royal Derby Hotel, Stolberg Hotel).