The Aviary

Hiding behind bluestone walls and stained glass windows is a booze-hall with a busier social life than a Hilton sister. The Aviary crams in weekday specials (the $12 burger and beer deal on Mondays for us) with a weekend roster of local DJs to keep the neighbours up. Gin and vodka would appear to be a thing of worship here – 10 bottles of each are enshrined in a refrigerated tomb in the centre of the long mahogany bar. They’re destined for the list of classic cocktails, but for our money, the Tom Collins’ and Singapore Slings aren’t this bars crowning glory. It's all about the beer garden – a slick outdoor area that's covered from the elements. Exactly where you'll want to be on a summer Sunday with a glass of Prosecco, a pint of Kirin or a $16 jug of 'mother's ruin' (gin, grapefruit, mint, bubbles and iced tea) that sounds more like Monday's ruin to us. The bar menu leans towards short, sharp share-plates reflecting the bars multicultural surrounds, although expect to pay thrice the Vic Street price. Munch on a mini bánh mì of fatty pork belly and salty slaw in a soft white roll ($7) or get serious and settle into the separate formal dining area – for those who don't think eatin' is cheatin'.