Hoodburger 848

Hoodburger Inglewood's expansion into the hairdresser next door doesn’t scream “wine bar” initially.

As far as first impressions go, the licensed add-on to the burger favourite's north side address looks more canteen than enoteca. But once your eyes have adjusted to the space – and you’ve nabbed a table and chair for your visit – cool little details emerge. The beautiful, framed art and photos on the wall. The warm exposed brick and white wall aesthetic. And then you notice the well-stocked fridge, filled with colourful labels drawn mainly from the lo-fi wine world.

While some will treat Hoodburger 848 as a place to primarily drink wine, owners Matt and Tom Shaw just wants it to be a comfortable, inviting place for everyone to enjoy. Local beers, random whiskies and the team’s favourite spirits complement the bar’s undeniable wine focus.

The other point of difference is the ability to enjoy said drinks with Hoodburger’s suite of burgers and sandwiches. It’s similar to the arrangement between Flipside and neighbouring bars Mrs Brown and Albert’s.

While diners need to order food from the restaurant, the staff pass it to the bar expansion via a neat serving window that’s been installed between the two spaces. A small selection of cheese and meat plates and dips has also been added to the menu to cater for the new bar. Although the expansion has been designed to allow Hoodburger customers to enjoy an alcoholic drink with their food, guests are also free to drink in the bar without ordering food.