Bar No. 5

The verdict

Having recently taken over a warehouse on McCauley Street in Alexandria, Bar No. 5 offers simple and uncomplicated fare, with a strong focus on seasonality. The space is light-filled, unpretentious and welcoming, so it may just become your new local. 

We’ll start with the bar menu, because let’s be honest, with bar manager Alex O’Brien (ex-Archie Rose), you know you’re in for a few delicious cocktails. There’s six, and include a strawberry fizz, made from home-made strawberry vodka, balsamic vinegar, px sherry, lemon and egg white, or the Moscow Mule, made from Stolichnaya vodka, lime juice, ginger beer and mint. There’s also a hefty beer list—both on tap and bottled.

For food, there’s small plates and share plates, which we love because it means that we can ditch foodie FOMO and just try one of everything. Start with the chargrilled sweetcorn (with smoked chili butter, parmesan and lime), slow cooked pulled lamb shoulder (served on a damper roll with tzatziki and pita chips) or a more substantial spice-rubbed whole chicken. For dessert, order the ANZAC and brownie ice cream sandwich with salted caramel, because salted caramel is always a good idea.

Image credit: Nadia Khrisnadia