The term ‘watering hole’ in relation to a well-loved local pub gained widespread use in the 1960s and pertained to cosy cocktail lounges and swank nightclubs, where people could gather and mingle over drinks.
These days, it is used for favourite haunts such as neighbourhood taverns and hotels where everyone knows your name, the pub grub is always great and the beer ice-cold. Here are five you need to try next time you say ’meet me at the watering hole’:
Beer, Eats and City Life
Quality craft beer, Mod Oz eats and city life go hand and hand at Mr Edward’s Alehouse & Kitchen on Edward Street in the heart of Brisbane. Spacious interior and alfresco areas are ideal for all-year-round gatherings, functions, after-work drinks, or simply catching up with friends; in rustic surrounds of polished wood floors and tables, black leather chairs and potted greenery.
Pair a Coopers Original Pale Ale with starters like crispy chicken karaage bites with a drizzle of chipotle mayo, or tender beef chilli con carne nachos; for the main, think a Dark Ale with lamb shanks braised to perfection in a rich red wine sauce, with caramelised vegetables and creamy potato mash. Chocolate brownie, ice cream, chocolate sauce, cherry and caramel sauce make for the ideal finish to a perfect pub meal.
Best Pub Grub and Beer
Every flavour tells a story at microbrewery The Cheeky Pint on Barkly Street in Footscray. Throw the doors open and you are greeted with a vibe as inviting as the couch on a Sunday with an intimate dining space, sprawling bar blessed with large copper tanks housing exclusive beers and an informal lounge area.
There are 12 different beers on the menu, 10 of which are exclusively brewed by The Cheeky Pint, a lengthy cocktail list and some of the best pub grub you have experienced – consider the whistle wet! Graze on mac ‘n’ cheese croquettes and BBQ sauce, or Southern fried chicken tenders and chilli mayo, before chowing down on a steak sandwich with cheese, lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion and tomato relish, on grilled Turkish with a side of fries.
Small Batch Handcrafted Beer
Two Doors Brewing on High Street is the first wine bar and brewery in bustling Ashburton Village since the ‘dry zone’ was declared in the 1920s. Inspired by Melbourne COVID lockdowns and the lack of watering holes within walking distance, owners Andy and Rach established the brewery as a place run by locals for locals.
Named after the two doors on the front yard brewing shed, catch up with family and friends while enjoying Andy’s small batch handcrafted beers brewed on-site, along with share platters and bar bites. Sip a cold one in the warm and relaxed downstairs bar, where exposed brick, timber, potted greenery and glowing Edison bulb lighting set the scene for an evening to remember; or book the upstairs area for group celebrations and special occasions.
Country Goodness and Cold Beer
Country goodness, one plate at a time, is what you’ll find at Woomargama Hotel on Woomargama Way in Holbrook. Located just off the Hume Highway in Southern NSW, this classic watering hole is rich in history and the perfect place to stop when travelling through the region to enjoy a peaceful night’s rest and refuel at the dining room from a rustic menu celebrating local, farm-fresh ingredients.
For a taste of rural charm that connects you with the heart of the countryside opt for dishes such as mustard-crusted lamb rump, Dijon mustard, rosemary, honey, creamy mash, green beans, vine tomato and red wine rosemary jus; or Porterhouse steak, mash, vegetables and pepper sauce, washed down with ice-cold frothy beer such as Great Northern Super Crisp.
Gluten-free Beer and Food Available
A Bendigo tradition since 1877, the Golden Vine Hotel on King Street is a much loved local music venue along with dishing up a fabulous menu of pub classics, gluten-free and vegan choices. Nestled in an historic building, find a cosy vibe indoors or head to the beautiful undercover beer garden and chill out amongst recycled timber, hanging and potted greenery as you sip a cold one and contemplate starters like satay chicken skewers and salad.
Pasta lovers salivate over housemade beef lasagne, salad and chips or devour slow-cooked lamb shank, red wine and rosemary, root vegetables and mash, best enjoyed with a Bendigo Pale Ale; there’s also gluten-free O’Brien Pale Ale for those with dietary requirements to go with coeliac-friendly plates of lamb cutlets, vegetables and chips, or a grilled chicken salad. Finish with a divine dessert of housemade sticky date pudding and ice cream.
