The Beast

The Beast roared to life in 2012, adding some genuine flavour to this stretch of Lygon Street. It’s from the same team behind Section 8 and Ferdydurke and offers hefty burgers, fun cocktails, beers and a welcoming pub-like ambience.

Food-wise, the menu offers beef, chicken, vegetarian and vegan burgers with playful names. The Clint Beastwood packs in a slab of Southern fried chicken with tart pickles, cheddar, slaw and ranch sauce. While the more daring Holy Cheezus marries a Wagyu beef patty with bacon, two golden slices of cheddar, a gooey mac’n’cheese croquette and sauces. The fun continues with the sides, from poutine smothered in roast-chicken gravy and jack cheddar to Southern-style fried cauliflower bites. Everything apart from the buns is made on the premises.

On drinks there's an impressive range of beers and wines. Cocktails tend towards playful, such as Flaming Lips – the Beast’s take on a Spicy Margs with house-infused habanero tequila – and Chumbawumba, a Long Island Iced Tea tweaked with fizzy Fanta.

On the small stage and on the decks, there’s an emphasis on showcasing local artists of a variety of genres. Visit one night and you might catch a DJ spinning funk. But visit the next and a punk band might be playing to a packed room.