Benchwarmer

Benchwarmer is a laid-back beer hall and bottle shop that combines an obscure beer list with an elite food line-up. When the sun’s beaming down Victoria Street, outside tables are in high demand. The fairy-lit, tree-laden beer garden out back is a local favourite too.

It's worth coming here for the food alone. The menu is by executive chef Geoff Marett, who spent five years cooking at Hong Kong’s world-famous Yardbird. There’s always something new on offer, from snacky options like kingfish tostadas and chicken katsu with curry gravy, to larger shareable Japanese izakaya classics.

Benchies focuses on limited release beers – so even if you see a beer from a well-known brewery on the list, you probably haven’t tried it. Locals such as Banks and One Drop are frequent guests on the 18 taps, joined by esteemed internationals such as Garage Project, Uchu, Belching Beaver and more. There are also plenty of natural wines by the glass, a rotating highball menu and a solid line-up of sake.