Had an excellent night out at Hats & Tatts with Mr B on Wednesday night.  Walking into the old Southern Cross Hotel one is hit with a welcoming smoky smell in the air.  The BBQ meat kind of smoky smell that instantly stirs one's appetite.  The bar is full of various bottles, dangling cans and artefacts.  A very friendly beardy man greeted us instantly and requested whether we were here for food, drinks or both.  Upon an answer of both, we were given our food menus and a casual tour of the drinks available. Mr B and I thanked him and wandered around to stake out a comfy space.   

We found a back room, adorned with framed classic rock posters, two giant empty booths and a pool table.  I took my place in a booth while Mr B purchased us a round of pints. $21 for a Colonial Pale Ale and a guest Red Ale impressing us more than just a little.

Pint round 2 saw us moving to the back room with the fire place.  A need for food ensued so a Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich, a Nashville Style Hot Chicken burger and a serve of the Kimchi Tater Tots were ordered.  The very friendly bar tender soon appeared to tell us that the fermentation on the kimchi had gone a little too far, so a new side dish order of Mac n Cheese Waffle required. The food that arrived at our table was amazing!  The beef brisket was smoky, soft and delicious to say the least.  My B was gushing over his fried chicken. And that waffle! It was actually a waffle pressed out of mac n cheese!  The likes of which I have never seen or eaten!  

We absolutely loved Hatts & Tatts!  Its genuine feeling of welcome and lack of shininess was a beautiful thing to behold in South Melbourne...a side of town I rarely feel at home in.  The music, food, service and price were all so good that we wish you were on our side of town.  

To read the full version and more of about our food outings take a look at my blog:

Cool night spot with a grungy feel and one hell of a menu. Slow cooked meats, juicy burgers and fried chicken, great beer and friendly staff. Not what you would expect from the outside.