Hotel Collingwood
This classic corner pub has gotten a refresh with breezy interiors, elevated pub grub and a drinks list filled with local names.
Overview
In the Smith Street corner site that was once home to the Robert Burns Hotel, now sits Hotel Collingwood — a bright, modern pub venture by Only Hospitality Group (Bentwood, Glovers Station and Juliette Coffee & Bread).
Inside, a refresh by Pierce Widera features fresh white and olive green tones, alongside native blackbutt timber. There are two wood-fired fireplaces, an all-weather beer garden oasis out back and an upstairs dining space called Bobby's. You'll find a couple of big screens for your live sports fix, too.
The food offering sees Lucas Group alumni John Woo and Allan Hwang plating up a subtle reworking of honest pub grub with a touch of Asian influence. Bites like fried chicken bao with spicy house-made mayo ($6.5), dumplings ($18–19) and kingfish sashimi ($23) sit alongside both meat and vegetarian grazing boards ($25). The classic parma is done with panko crumbs ($26), a fennel salad features edamame and a yuzu dressing ($19), and there are three different cuts of beef to tempt steak lovers.
At the bar, cocktails lean to the classic, while both the 14 beer taps and the 100-strong wine list are mostly heroing home-grown drops. Try a pint of The Mill Brewery's Mosaic IPA ($13) or a Molly Rose Hug Replacement ($15) just metres from where they were made.