Strawberry Hills Hotel

Once a wizened watering hole for elderly gents and gig-goers spilling over from the nearby Gaelic Club, the Strawberry Hills has recently been rebirthed as a hipster hideaway following a snazzy refurbishment. The lower level has retained some of its former grunge, while upstairs offers a squeaky-clean outdoor terrace complete with a three-screen video jukebox and jugs of Pimms for $25. If you go down on a weeknight, the vibe is almost always bustling and you'll have to elbow for a seat, particularly if you want to eat on the deck. The food is generous and genuine in its attempt to recreate old-fashioned pub classics such as smoky pork ribs, duck confit and twice-cooked pork belly. Vegetarians are also catered for, and all meals are reasonably priced under the $15 mark. The wine list is heavy on by-the-glass crisp dry whites as well as plenty of meat-matching reds. Beer drinkers will find a broad selection of local and imported brands. Four types of cider sat behind the bar when we asked, and we wouldn't expect anything less from a place with its finger so firmly on the pulse.