My friend and I visited recently on a Saturday night, it has been a while since I was here, so wanted to check it out again.
The bar is really nice with open space and lots of seating, there are 2 bars so the wait time for a drink is really good.
My friend ordered a mocktail and I ordered a spritz, both were made very well. I have to comment on the barman, he was so helpful. There was no cocktail or mocktail list but he assured us he knew most cocktails and he whipped up the mocktail based on what my friend liked. He was really patient and just so nice, thank you.
A definite must and I would love to come back during the day too as the front bar is nice and cosy.
Howler is my favourite venue in Brunswick. It hosts good events, serves affordable vegan food, has a pretty good beer section as well as an indoor/outdoor dining area. The vegan fried chicken is the best. Service is always great as well.
This place is great! The fitout is amazing, it’s no wonder that they’d won the architectural design award for their space. Good offering of alcoholic drinks, great bar food, friendly staff and an amazing live music room out back!
Nice food in a really cool converted warehouse space. Keep an eye out for their weekly specials and see you if you can get to the band room after for a gig!👌
Such an incredible place to hang out for some drinks and a bite!
The burgers were super yummy and the fries crunchy and thick. Their mulled cider was a delight and we simply could not stop with one..
A nice place tucked away near Brunswick baths, highly recommend!
One of the most *Brunswick* places in all of Brunswick and a great place to get a burger on a weeknight. Wish it was still $12 but $16 for a burger, fries and a pot is still pretty solid. Also one of the best live music venues in Melbourne.
The nights I can’t remember here are absolutely unforgettable. Saw my friends band play here which was real good. They were like the band I listened to heaps in my youth and I’m now 26 so it was heaps good memories.
Awesome bar, awesome atmosphere. The $12 burger nights are sensational, and the wagyu beef burger was absolutely delicious! Do yourself a favour and get the creamy slaw as a side (delicious!). Friendly staff, great food, great beer = great night!
My favourite tofu burger is here! Great vibes at this bar. Love the chips aswell, great portion! Cheese burger was also really good! They give out big portions but also satisfying the taste buds
Oh god, The Howler was a Christmas miracle! The $15 chicken burger, chips and pot meal deal was out-bloody-standing! I’ve never been so satisfied with such a large burger at such a cheap price! Definite recommendation!
Love the design of the outdoor area, great job mixing industrial design with plants. Bar is fully stocked with all you can imagine, no table service though. The pot and burger combo deal is great too, 15,- for a beer and a delicious burger of choice (choose out off 6).
I just loved this bar when I visited recently. It’s a bit hidden, yes you have to walk through a car park to get there, and when you walk in it’s this huge converted warehouse that has the coolest vibe. Dim, romantic lighting, plenty of seats and good menu and drinks list to keep you happy.
We tried the Wagyu burger and boy was it delicious! Juicy beef and crispy chips on the side. A definite win!
I highly recommend!
Very trendy and interesting bar, with good service and interesting tastes, a very large variety of drinks and knowledgeable staff. The food is not typical bar grub but an interesting mix of the usual burgers and chips all the way to tofu and haloumi skewers.
Been here a number of times for drinks, really cool venue with heaps of space and great music. If you have a big group it’s obvious you should get in early. Also do really good burgers but average fries
Nothing gets me going like a converted warehouse. I came here for a going away drinks and was loving the greenhouse vibes. Kinda hipster (it is Brunswick after all) it was buzzing with atmosphere and we managed to snare a sneaky little corner with some comfy seating for our group. Food wise they do burgers, sausages and all types of potato as well as a couple of sharing options. Plenty to keep you going as you sip away. Great Sunday session spot
I don’t give out 5 ⭐️ ratings out often, but it had to be done. First time at Howler (I know, facepalm) and was welcomed by the open space and beautiful greeneries. There’s something to look at from every angle, they’ve done a great job with the fit out.
🍔 I ordered the $14 pot x burg special (weekday except Friday deal from 5-9pm), opting for the Wagyu beer beef burger despite there being an Asian inspired tuna steak burger special. Played it safe and did the right thing. Chip portion was a bit on the lesser end. Truffle mayo (extra $1) didn’t have the truffle kick I’ve had before at other places. Great range of beers in the fridge, can’t go wrong with a Big Wave alongside the table tennis 🏓 10/10 would come here again.
Amazing vegetarian burgers (mushroom burger halloumi burger), chips & drink for only $12! Ordered additional sweet potato fries for only $2!! Truly best value for money. The servings were generous & the food quality was well above average. There’s also easy free parking in front of the venue after 6pm. Highly recommend coming here for a cheap burger night.
Having the burger + fries + 1 pot of beer/cider for $12~
i think its the part of monday-thursday deal if im not mistaken.
I choose the reuben burger which is the special burger for today.
I love the burger~ totally recommend the burger❤️
I also recommend their sweet potato fries! Literally 5/5 lol :)
Best burgers on the north side. I wanted to go to the kitchen and personally thank the staff for providing my hangover on Sunday with the cure it needed. We got the jerk haloumi burger (love that this has been added to the permanent menu) + waygu beef burger. Been going here for a while now and the burgers somehow just get better and better. The staff there are also all spicy ponies. Thank you 🙌
Table tennis 🏓 inside the venue. Period. The review should end here.
After a long day/week of work/uni this joint is the best to chill/drink/snack/party 🙌
Everyday they offer a special but not you usual boring pub special. We came here for their snagpotting (100 points for the name) and their free, yes FREE slider if you buy a drink 🍻
The food surprisingly was good considered how cheap it was!! Special shoutout to Alana: she is a legend behind the bar wooh 🙌
Howler has a great vibe. The beer garden/outdoor area is big and always buzzing. If you and your mates are dedicated enough to hover around waiting for seats to free up, opt to get some bar food to go with your drinks. The dumplings were enjoyable and there's a decent selection of craft beer. The table tennis table definitely adds another element of fun to a Saturday night at Howler.
Great place to hang out on a Sunday afternoon in the summer. There's a lot of choice, an often-changing menu and really good ambiance. I'd be there much more if I lived closer!
Disappointed with the Howler... disappointed because I am trying to stick to my post-Christmas diet and now I've tried their burgers I am hooked! Easily the best burgers in Brunswick!! And I only live down the street so it's gunna be dangerous. I tried the chicken burger, which had a succulent patty with slaw and jalapeños. It stayed intact, and wasn't too messy like some chicken burgers filled with slaw. I also tried the beef burger, and it was amazing! Perfectly cooked patty, again the burger stayed intact and was a dream to eat. Chips are great, service is great, and they have a wide craft beer selection to accompany your food. Oh, and if you go on a Wednesday night you'll get a burger, fries and a pot for $12!!!!
I was stunned when I walked into this bar! I will not forget this place as the bartenders were super cool, friendly and knowledgeable with experience from across the world. I tried the amaretto cranberry with a hint of lime as an alternative to the amaretto red bull and I absolutely loved it! such a deliciously sweet beverage. awesome vibes in this bar that gives an outdoorsy feel yet is indoor, and adorned with plants along the walls and ceiling. this place attracts a very niche, trendy crowd which made it that much more fun as it was like watching a fashion parade. gotta mention the groovy tunes the DJ girl was spinning, loved the enthusiasm. I really appreciated the effort staff put in here as it made my night that much more enjoyable. thanks guys!
Loved this place. The vibe is great and the place looks great. The wagyu burger was fresh and tasted nice. Chips were good. Customer service was perfect. Overall a great experience and would be back. Spent $45 for two burgers with chips, apple juice and a virgin mojito.
I went to Howler by accident because my phone GPS was malfunctioning. It was a fortuitous malfunction though, as I enjoyed my little visit. They had mead, and it was tasty and delicious, and service was efficient for a busy Saturday night. However, while the decor was super funky and there was something to please the eye at every angle, I was bothered by the VISIBLE dust hanging off everything, and the stickiness of the glass in which my drink was served. I am a weirdo about clean venues though, so this drawback is unlikely to bother many others. I would still visit again were I in the area.
Best burgers in Brunswick!! Get ready to be #comatose post. Beef and saganaki are bang on - cool vibe - good tunes and warm even in winter!!
Geat set up !!! Would be great for a function. Grilled chicken burger was just what the doctor ordered and was yum!! Sweet potato fries were great too. Nice food for a bar. Atmosphere was cozy 😊
A beautiful atmosphere and relatively secluded. I found the music wasn't that loud so it was great for chatting. We had the shared platter with chicken and some fries. Both were delicious.
Very tasty burgers, and it has one of the better tequila selections I've seen in an Australian bar that isn't Mexican/Tequila themed. A good place to go before a gig.
Best bar in brunswick. No crazy pub vibes, chill and spacious atmosphere. Plenty of seating available - this place is huge! But it can get super busy. Massive boutique beer selection, solid cocktail menu. Haven't tried the food but definitely want to as it sounds delicious. A great music venue as well.
This Model Eats A Lot
+3.5
I walk into Howler on a Sunday arvo and it truly lives up to the moniker. The Beautiful People of Brunswick are crammed into the immense outdoor space not unlike a greenhouse, with its shady nooks and crannies interspersed with brick walls, plants and wooden benches. It’s a hot day, and in a stroke of genius the establishment has installed devices which emit a delicious mist which floats down breezily, hitting searing bare skin with a sizzle.
Very cool interior, I love the high ceiling outdoor setup with lots of wood/steel, very industrial feel. Haven't eaten here, but the selection of beer is good. Saw a live music gig in the band room, and the sound was acoustically not great.
Howler is the perfect venue for all occasions. Firstly, the design of the place is inspired. Tranquil environment for a relaxed boozy lunch, yet also gains momentum amazingly to establish itself as one of the most vibrant party venues in Brunswick by night. Food is also a staple of the place, with the burgers incredible tasty and reasonably priced for the quality.
Pulled pork burger is genuinely the best burger I have ever eaten, though my friends got the other burgers and they were less impressive. Go!
What a cool bar. They serve well-priced drinks and have some tasty snacks to share. Last time I sat in with some friends, we were offered free tickets to a DJ show in the back and also 2 free Jack Daniels drinks. It turned out to be a great night.
This venue has a very trendy and exquisite look to it. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Meal and drink price is average and affordable. My partner and I ordered the Salt & Pepper Calamari salad and a side of beer battered chips and we both agreed that the meal was enjoyable. Juicy, lighly spicy and refreshing.
The only real downside to this place is the table arrangments. I found that the tables were awkward to sit around but, then again, others may not be too fussed about it.
As soon as you step through the (factory chic) entrance, you immediately know that these guys know how to set up a venue.... The space is amazing, great furniture, industrial art suspended mid-air, lofty planter boxes high up around the walls, semi-open roof to cater for the smokin' types, and eclectic tunes spun from a funky wee booth by the bar.
The next episode from the team who brought us "workshop" overlooking the top end of Elizabeth st, CBD, they have taken this place straight to the highest level.
The food menu is very now, well priced and covers all bases, and the drink selection is very craft-beery, interesting and unusual selections for all tastes.
When you're in Brunswick & feeling thirsty, there is only one place you wanna be.... Trust me!
Located at the end of an inconspicuous car park just off Sydney Road, Howler Brunswick is one of the more recent additions to the Brunswick bar scene. We had been meaning to pay them a visit for quite some time so we decided to pop in during a casual Sunday afternoon session.
Came here last night for a gig and super impressed with the venue! Hard to randomly stumble across as it's set at the back of a parking area off Dawson Street (next to RMIT). Very cool interior. Lots of wooden furniture and steel fixtures. The Bar is impressive and has a wide range of grog. Many beers in the fridge and spirits lining the bar wall. Had a Red Wine and Brooklyn Beer. very tasty. Will want to go back for food and another gig! Table tennis table is a fun addition. Will be back!
Came here with friends for dinner and drinks after work. It was my first time at Howler and I really enjoyed it. At first glance, it's a bit hard to find the place, but once you get to the building it's really nice! The decor is a gorgeous spacious warehouse converted into an art space with lighting features and a nature theme. The menu was burgers and a couple of other items; simple food but definitely not boring! Mulled wine and burgers for the win!
A great place for after work drinks or a evening catch ups with friends.
Howler expresses an Asian infused bar menu of tastes goodness. Pork belly burger s must have.
Great beats to ease you into the night and also showcasing some great bands
Great food a decent size for the price amazing atmosphere and delicious sangria what more could you want! We will definitely be going back :)
As it was a hot day, we decided to sit in the outdoor area and enjoy the mist that was being sprayed out of the overhead misters (I have no idea what the proper name is, but you know what I mean). Howler offers a tapas/yum cha style menu which suited us perfectly as we were there to enjoy a few drinks, and just wanted a couple of small dishes to tie us over. As it’s a bar, all food and drink orders are to be placed at the counter, so we made our way through the crowd and ordered the pork belly bao (Twice Cooked Pork Belly, Pickled Cucumber, Spring Onion, Sriracha) , the eggplant bao (Spiced Eggplant, Sweet Corn Puree, Pickled Bok Choi, Sunflower Shichimi) and the duck and plum spring rolls off the specials menu.
This Model Eats A Lot
+3.5
BPB Anonymous. I walk into Howler on a Sunday arvo and it truly lives up to the moniker. The Beautiful People of Brunswick are crammed into the immense outdoor space not unlike a greenhouse, with its shady nooks and crannies interspersed with brick walls, plants and wooden benches.
It’s a hot day, and in a stroke of genius the establishment has installed devices which emit a delicious mist which floats down breezily, hitting searing bare skin with a sizzle.
Inside, a table tennis table is put to good use, making it an ideal first date venue.
The menu has been entirely revised, taking an Asian spin and offering simply three dishes - Vietnamese char bao, dumplings and fries. Within first two options are four varieties of each, comprising beef, pork, chicken and vegetarian.
PORK BELLY BAO
The pork belly bao features pillows of squishy white dough filled with the sour crunch of zucchini and spring onion astride orange bricks of pork, that feature a very slight layer of fat which adds enough sweetness so as not to dominate the other flavours.
A generous dollop of chilli sauce in the middle sees the juices trickle down onto the chin with each bite.
FRIES
I have to go the fries to see how good they are.
I’m floored - innocent-enough looking, these bad boys pack an intense heated punch fierce enough to leave my seasoned Indian palate roaring and fumbling around for some water.
This is thanks to the hefty seasoning laid out on a mountain of crunchy potato which has been inlaid with pickles, onions and chilli sauce to boot.
Always one to throw out the pickles from my hamburger, I give these guys a chance for the sake of the tasting. And you know what - they work, adding a sourness to the dish which gives it a flavour far more complex than the usual fries and sauce.
FISH BAO
The fish bao is conservative in flavour by contrast, leaving little to be desired, yet the overall dish holds wonderful textures which alternate between crunchy and crumbly: sesame seeds, fresh green chilli and delicately crumbed fish work well together however slightly more sauce could have been added to lubricate the dish.
CHICKEN BAO
The stark whiteness of the chicken bao is initially alarming, however the taste makes a sizeable impact: the occasional crunch of peanuts sprinkled amongst sweet kimchee, carrot and zingy onion makes this a dish well worth ordering.
CONCLUSION
The food at Howler has clearly undergone an extensive makeover for the better, with the resulting dishes well planned and executed brilliantly. Initially the lack of options are baffling, but in an odd way it seems like the less choice you have, the less confusion.
The service is as good as it can get for a crowded place with minimal staff - to make this easier, there’s no table service. Staff are a bit cheeky but it fits the grungyness of the place allows for it.
Service 7, Food 9.
Howler is located at 7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick.
Howler on Urbanspoon
I've been going to the gym across the road for a year now every time I park in the car park behind Howlr I always tell myself I have to go. So I did. Friday night drinks and food = yum!!!! Amazing atmosphere and delicious cuisine! Girl behind the bar could smile a bit but otherwise perfect!
Great place for a causal drink over an Asian overpriced tapas meal. The venue itself is brilliant. Very spacious with ample seating. Music is too loud over a chat/feed for my liking.
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Who doesn’t love a dump with their beer?. Walking through a car park to find a bar can feel a little odd but once your greeted with this beautifully converted warehouse you’ll know you’ve made the right choice to spend your night here.
This warehouse is more than just bar its an institute! Regularly hosting events such as art shows, sweet bands and dj’s, theatre acts and pop up events. One most recently being their Prom to celebrate their first Birthday. Do these guys know how to party or what?
Upon entering you’ll instantly be reminded of how awesome Brunswick truly is! This bar must be visited on a regular basis, there is always fun to be had. This converted warehouse is beautiful and has been designed for the people. This enormous spaces offers two drinking areas one being the massive indoor outdoor beer garden with another bar with what feels more inside. Howler is a very open space but also offers plenty of nooks and crannies to sink some beautifully crafted drinks. Full of trees and planters make you feel outside when inside, with an open aired roof, this also means smokers are welcome to smoke without having to leave their group.
Dumplings, bao pillows, spring rolls and other Asian delights can all be found on the menu, served in small wooden boxes these are hard to miss. With most delights only costing $8 why not treat yourself?
The really cool thing about Howler is that it’s not pretentious at all, and you wont find yourself surrounded by kale loving sweater-wearing hipsters. There is an awesome mix of people who all agree on two things in life, drinking and having a good time! Howler has an amazing atmosphere and crowd.
Come down and check out Howler because who doesn’t love a dump with their beer?
Howler 7-11 Dawson St, Brunswick
Mouth Watering!. Love the food, especially the Bao Pillows and Edamame with Miso Butter.. I wish the portions were slightly bigger for the price! The atmosphere is so awesome either day or night, love the venue!
I couldn't be more grateful for such nice service and good atmosphere.
Last night my friend and I were celebrating and the bar staff were so genuine and nice. Fantastic on weekdays and weekends!
Great venue in the heart of hipster-ville. Food is really nice, unusual little tasty Asian bites and a great beer and wine selection. Slightly odd to have so many smokers in the large beer garden that feels like you're inside.
Good Beer & Atmosphere. Great venue and friendly staff. Beer Selection is really interesting and they have many that you would not normally see in other pubs.
We ordered food and although very tasty and great quality, we found the portions extremely small for the money. We spent over $50 on food between 2 of us and came away hungry. Many of the local Asian eateries can give you much more for your buck and to the same standard.
I probably wont eat there again if I'm wanting a filling meal but as a small snack it's pretty good and I cannot fault the quality.
Really liked this place but walking out smelling of cigarette smoke despite having been inside the whole time is not cool . Needs a serious re think on the smoking policy.
Awesome place!. Not only an AMAZING warehouse space with interesting art and interior but great food too. The Bao is excellent. I love the prawn with mango. Only terrible thing is that it only comes in a serve of two and honestly, I could down 6 of those, easy! Also, if you're a chilli fan, try the chilli in the little jar they put on your table, next to all the cutlery. It's so so delicious but be warned, it will burn you a new mouth hole.
Awesome craft beers on tap, food was incredible and friendly staff! Not to mention a smasher of a beer garden - get around it!
Pricey for what you get food wise, but had a nice selection of beers.
Good atmosphere and helpful staff.
Great space. I'm sure this place could get ridiculously busy as it's such a beautiful space, along with great food & beer selections, & great audio setup (hence the stories of long queues & picky bouncers). My wife & I went on a beautiful warm Monday evening so was pretty quiet but were suitably impressed. Staff were friendly & helpful, food was all very tasty. Great place to hang with friends, will be back!
One of a kind.. This place is brilliant and Ill keep it sweet and short. A well designed bar in a reconverted warehouse that covers a huge space. It allows open light to shine in which is great for summer and has a unique system which periodically sends out mist which is a nice touch. Well though out bike racks line the perimeter of the warehouse which is relevant to the brunswick demographic. The Beer list here is phenomenal for craft beer lovers and the accompanying japanese food was equally as brilliant. The staff are also great to chat to and are happy to go into detail and share their knowledge on the range of craft beers they have available. Definitely come check this place out, one of the best bars in all of melbourne.
Casual lunch with a beer, dj playing cool sounds in the background...will be back...
Phenomenal food! Fresh, tasty, inventive, amazing! Will be going many more times, need to try the whole menu!
Tasty Asian Inspired Bar Food. Large Warehouse conversion with industrial feel comprising of various indoor zones and large outdoor beergarden. Staff super helpful we even scored a free jug as they were tapping the keg when we arrived 'bonus'. The food offerings are mainly dumplings, spring rolls and bao pillows, having said that there is a nice array of modern twists in flavour combinations. The food was super tasty, with the standout dishes being the pulled pork bao pillows and the crocodile spring rolls.Eight dollars gets you two bao pillows or four springs which is fair for the quality and size of servings. As I went for lunch on friday it was fairly quiet, but can see this place getting busy on weekends especially at night.
Amazing!. Great set up and atmosphere, you must try the Bao Pillows, the pork and kingfish are delicious. Really friendly staff and a DJ booth with 4 turntables (vinyl junkie from way back) make this the must hang out spot. Highly recommend going there.
I LOVE this place, massive space but lots of different areas so still seems cosy. Great indoor/outdoor mix and very relaxed feel. Delicious food. Be very cool in the summer time ! Will definitely be going back a lot
Very cool! Asian tapas are tasty! Drinks well priced! Great atmosphere! Deffinatly going back.
Fantastic space, and huge beer garden. Reasonable drink prices, and great selection. Food is small Asian bites - 4 per serve. We had three dishes, and a salad between two and were satisfied. Salad needed a bit more dressing, it was a bit on the bland side (soba noodle salad). The stand out dishes were prawn dumplings, and the pork bao. At 8 bucks per dish you can't go wrong!
Bao Pillows. Nom nom nom. This place is going to be massive! I highly recommend getting on in there before hoards of people start lining out the door, especially come summer time with their well decked out outdoor area. The food is amazing - my boyfriend and I just ate there and can't wait til we get hungry again to eat more Bao Pillows - the duck, and pulled pork are mouthwatering! We also had the duck spring rolls, and fried pork, and chicken dumplings. All were delicious. The architecture is just beautiful and the atmosphere relaxed. I can't wait to go there again, very soon!
AWESOME!. Fantastic addition to the Brunswick area...great drinks, great food and finally a place which caters to the DJ culture rather than indi hipster rock bands!
From the moment we got there at just after 6pm there was a DJ spinning a beautifully refined mixture of funk, soul, hip hop, glitch, deephouse...nothing cheesy, music with depth and groove with volume levels just right, loud enough to be feeling it, but not so loud as to make it hard to hear your mates.
Food was sensational, we worked our way through about 10 different items on the menu and loved everyone of them...yes, $8 for four dumplings seems steep then you're used to China Town places slamming out plates of 12-15 for that price, but these are miles nicer and the manner of service infinately better!
The space, the art, the decor, the vibe, the music...this place has it in spades!
A++, new local hangout for sure...roll on summer with the big open air area and high ceilings, will be sensation!
The direction to Howler is always, 'just opposite Brunswick Baths, across the carpark'. Except at nights when you don't really need directions, just follow the music and the crowd, I guess. Housemates and I spent our last dinner together of the year 2013 here, trying out all sorts of dumplings and spring rolls. I rediscovered my love of kangaroo meat. Don't understand how they can be so tender when they are apparently full of cholesterol?! Howler 7-11 Dawson Str Brunswick, VIC 3056
Fabulous place to have a drink and have a chat with your friends. It’s got nice atmosphere and environment. Drinks are so tasty as well. I ordered a cocktail 🍹 with staff choice which was amazing. Staff are so friendly and helpful. It couldn’t be my first choice to have burger. However, Royal burger 🍔 was much better that Wagyu burger.
Thanks 😊
Wonderful experience here. Went to watch The Elvis Big Band and it was amazing!! Loved it. The Howler was a wonderful venue and had lovely staff. The food looked amazing. Definitely would go back!
Great venue. Great service. Wasn’t a fan of the smoking area very close to the non smoking but it’s one bar in Brunswick that doesn’t charge through the roof for craft beers. Band room was fab but some of the equipment might need updating as there was a lot of reverb and crackly sounds coming from the instrument and speakers at times. Was great it wasn’t overcrowded too and that there’s toilets and a bar in there. Great night
Tried their sweet potato fries, normal fries and veg cheese balls. As I don't drink alcohol, I was loading up on side dishes and have to say they were very yummy. My friends loved the chicken side dish as well :) Good ambience to catch up with friends and socialize. Plus it's very close to the RMIT University, Brunswick campus.
Lovely smaller venue with great vibes and sound for gigs. Very appealing well-aired bar area too.
Amazing place to see your favourite artists. Cheap beers and excellent cocktails. Great place to share with friends
Love live gigs at Howler. Staff are ace too!
Good, just good. Tasty grub, crafty beer, cool vibe, great gigs. What more could you want?
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