Harlow

The Great Britain Hotel used to be a dark and grungy rock’n’roll pub. These days, it’s a bright modern boozer from the team behind St Kilda’s Newmarket Hotel, and top CBD bars State of Grace and Trinket.

The graffiti mural leading off the main bar is all that remains of the former pub’s heyday. But otherwise Harlow’s design is clean, light and fresh, with a mix of white tiling, exposed brick and stained wooden tables.

The beer garden has bleacher-style terraced seating and enough room for 250 punters. The bottom of the garden leads to a snug basement bar; a quiet, compact area for late-night cocktails.

There’s a decent little wine list of mostly light, easy drinkers. Heavier drops are in the minority. Crunchy pinot grigio and juicy grenache come from producers including Victoria’s Mister Fox and McLaren Vale’s Alpha Box & Dice.

On the taps you’ll find Furphy and Brooklyn Lager, and there’s a smattering of local tins in the fridge from the likes of Kaiju, Stomping Ground and more.

Cocktails here are lively and fresh. Past highlights such as the Gin ‘n’ Juice mix Four Pillars gin with elderflower and cranberry; and the Feel Good Hit of the Summer dials up the booze with vodka, gin, white tequila, triple sec and grapefruit.