The Hairy Goat

There’s a taxidermy goat’s head hanging proudly from the wall at The Hairy Goat. As for how it got there, owner Jade Kelson says he and some mates were throwing around ideas for what they should call his then unopened bar. The beer-soaked suggestions were so outrageous, Kelson joked he’d sooner call his new venue The Hairy Goat. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Kelson gets the last laugh though, because his crowd-pleasing boozer has been going strong for the better part of five years. It’s loosely-inspired by the casual dining he loved while living and working in Europe. That means, lots of small share plates paired with good booze.

As you’d expect from any good tapas bar, The Goat’s menu has Spanish flair in spades. Start with jamon, pamplona and olives, or white anchovies served with sourdough kissed by the grill. Cop a couple Spanish-style meatballs, or local prawns and chorizo drenched in garlic butter. To share, go for the proper Paella or a char-grilled rib eye steak with a choice of sides.

The chesterfields, reams of timber, and maroon banquettes vaguely recall an old-fashioned whisky den (it’s just as well there’s loads of the stuff). But the long list of martinis and Tiki drinks might take you somewhere else entirely.