Aviary Hotel

Behind the bluestone walls hides a cosy drinking hall for punters to escape the bustle of busy Victoria Street. It’s owners Anthony Daniel, Brigitte Costelloe and Jason McConnell’s second Abbotsford undertaking, with the first, The Vic, sitting only three doors down.

The stained glass windows, high ceilings and archways are reminiscent of an old cathedral – an aesthetic only exaggerated by the dark timber finishes and dimly lit interiors.

Whether it’s a relaxed vibe you’re after or a more formal experience, The Aviary has every base covered. Hang out at the bar, be waited on in the restaurant or play host in the elegant upstairs cocktail bar, The White Room, designed to accommodate events and celebrations. Alternatively, the charming beer garden proves a lovely place to wile away the hours.

The menu encourages a relaxed dining experience, with an emphasis on shared plates and a few sophisticated dishes to please the more mature diners. Sliders and tempura soft shell crab satisfy casual groups in the beer garden, while restaurant diners can feast on spicy glazed beef rib fingers and cured ocean trout. A large smoker and barbeque in the beer garden is constantly dishing out tender hunks of meat too.

With The Aviary’s strong focus on sharing, it only makes sense that pitchers of tap beer and cocktail jugs are also a winner.