Wowee Zowee

Wowee Zowee aims to be the kind of place you can go to alone, sit at the bar and just talk to the barman. It helps that the bar itself is so comfortable. The base is decorated with current music and festival posters and there are handcrafted bar stools and cosy dark booths lit up by fairy lights.

The menu has some ripper fried chicken – it’s hot-brined, floured and spiced before frying – and clever vegan snacks. The vegan Broc‘n’Roll is a fresh bread roll stuffed with spiced broccolini, cashew feta from The Vegan Dairy, and salt and vinegar chips. Elsewhere, popcorn cauliflower comes with Frank’s hot sauce and a cauliflower ranch dressing. One favourite dish is the Dirty Bird – a master stock-marinated chicken thigh that’s fried then served on a cheesy Dr Marty’s crumpet with honey soy butter and a side of slaw.

On the wine list you’ll find approachable drops such as the Range Life pinot noir alongside a left-of-centre Le Stagiaire chardonnay and the fridge is full of craft beer. If you want to get a bit loose, a weekly $15 tinnie and shot special could start your night, but if a gentle cocktail is more your thing there’s the Sharlene’s Spritz made from St Germain Elderflower liqueur, prosecco and strawberries. At happy hour, from 4pm to 6pm daily, there are $2 buttermilk chicken tenders, $8 pints, $16 jugs, $5 glasses of wine and $6 house spirits.

The Wowee Zowee soundtrack includes Pavement – the bar is named after the band’s 1995 album – Thin Lizzy, Sonic Youth, Blondie, Cheap Trick and ZZ Top. There are a few house rules but the most important one is the last one: no requests, unless it’s Surrender by Cheap Trick.