Australia, we have a mateship issue. A recent report shows Aussie men are losing the battle for the simple pleasures that bring Aussie men together – notably kicking back and relaxing with your mates.
Men are no longer enjoying as much down time with their friends as they once did, with the report revealing that one in three (35%) are spending less quality time with their mates than they did 3-5 years ago. More alarmingly, Aussie blokes are sharing 30% less barbecues (for the love of god, no) with their mates and watching 29% less sport.
To help keep bromance alive, we hit up restaurant reservation platform OpenTable to help us find some of the best dining spots to take your mates for a man date in Sydney and Melbourne. Time to find the love.
The Cut Bar and Grill – The Rocks
Housed within a heritage cellar in the heart of The Rocks, The Cut Bar & Grill offers a contemporary twist on a traditional concept. Inspired by New York’s signature steak restaurants, the menu celebrates the very finest cuts of Australian beef and sustainable seafood.
Deus Bar and Kitchen – Camperdown
Located directly next door to Deus Ex Machina’s Sydney flagship store, the newly completed Deus Bar and Kitchen offers a relaxed setting for those keen to grab breakfast, lunch or dinner with mates. It’s the perfect spot to grab a few drinks and bar snacks.
The Public – Cammeray
Serving the ultimate pub classics, The Public is known to always deliver a great burger, fish and chips and chicken parmigiana. However, if it’s a few drinks you’re after, you’ll be spoilt for choice with their beer and wine selection. The Cammeray is known for it’s revolving ‘special’ tap featuring a drop of ‘something different’. Recommend for those seeking a low-key get together.
Prime Restaurant – Sydney CBD
Offering up 18 different types of steaks, Prime Restaurant is a carnivore’s dream. Be sure to try their chateaubriand, a dish designed to share and often regarded as the ‘king of cuts’.
The Rook – Sydney CBD
Taking inspiration from the energy of Berlin, this urban rooftop is a mix of darkened spaces, graffiti and atrium style ceilings, exuding an atmosphere and edge where you can completely chill with your mates. If atmosphere is what you’re after, this is the place to be.
Hellenic Hotel – Williamstown, Melbourne
Introducing Melbourne’s first ‘Gastro-Greek’ pub. Located on the site of the former Hobson’s Bay Hotel, one of the West’s most iconic pub buildings, Hellenic Hotel offers a twist on the classic gastropub. The laid-back setting makes it a faultless destination for a casual catch up.
Feast of Merit – Richmond, Melbourne
Feast of Merit is a communal dining house offering delicious seasonal produce, raw foods and an assortment of locally sourced drinks. Being local, ethical and sustainable (and, of course, delicious) is part of what drives the restaurant’s philosophy. Feast of Merit is the spot to lock in for a weekend brunch or a much-needed coffee catch up. Check out our interview with Feast of Merit’s Head Chef, Ravi Presser.
Fancy Hank’s BBQ Joint – Melbourne CBD
Fancy Hank’s BBQ Joint serves traditional American-style slow cooked BBQ. Using the finest free range meat sourced from Victoria and cooking it using custom-built smokers (at times for up to 22 hours), Fancy Hank’s is perfect for group gatherings. They’ve also kitted the venue out with a curated list of craft beers, cocktails, wines, spirits and homemade soft drinks.
The Shaw Davey Slum – Carlton
The Shaw Davey Slum name is based around a poverty report written in 1958 by two commissioners named Shaw and Davey. Known as the windscreen survey (because they didn’t get out of their cars), to demolish areas known as the “slums”, the restaurant’s name is a celebration of Carlton’s diverse history. It features 36 gold plated cricket stump beer taps, making it an ideal spot to raise a glass at.
Up in Smoke– Footscray
A new barbecue restaurant and beer garden has opened up in Footscray this year, and it’s shaking up smoke-and-fire traditions as Melburnians know it. Serving up everything from jalapeno and cheddar sausages to smoked gin and beetroot salmon, Up in Smoke is a venue where you can book a table outside in its 70s industrial inspired beer garden and enjoy a cold beverage, an excellent feed and have a great catch up with your mates.
