Mercat Cross Hotel

Now, this pub has character, but then any pub that has a nozzle from a petrol pub as the beer pull certainly has a character all to its own. In fact there are a few interesting things about this pub that really stand out, such as labelling the toilets ‘Sausages and Buns’ and the balcony that has some machinery (I think it is a barbecue) crammed to one end. There is also a balcony out the back which looks on, well, back alleys, but that only adds to the character of the place. They were even serving home made donuts here, fresh from the donut maker, when I passed through last time. However I do have a little gripe, and that is that their happy hour is ‘two for the price of one’ which means that if I am here by myself I don’t get a beer for half price, I get two beers for half price. Mind you, when I informed the bartender that I wasn’t interested in a second beer, he just drank it himself (or so he said).

My only issue is how often this place seems to change. Except for the $ 5 Sangria. That’s been there for as long as I can remember. Still is a bit too rough and dirty at times for my liking. Will be sure to go back and try Fancy Hanks BBQ and Doughboys soon.
Great spot to drop by and have a few drinks and people watch.

When did this place become cool? I guess when the cool people realized what a great venue it is! Incorporating the outdoors indoors it’s the perfect place for wasting away an afternoon, especially when Fancy Hanks is in the house.
Multi level it’s really all happening upstairs & though the staff look a little edgy they’re totally unfazed by hipsters.
So if you haven’t been, come (but maybe incorporate it with a doughboys or Fancy Hanks pop up event…)

So we came here in search of Fancy Hank’s amazing BBQ that has taken up in Mercat Hotel for a little while. Coupled with two for one bevies, this place is a winner! The place is huge and includes a fireplace on one side and a split level dining area in the other. Good servers and I can’t say enough good things about Fancy Hank’s brisket, the pulled pork and you must try the spicy bbq sauce *drool*

I’ve gotta be honest, I have always walked past this place because I’m usually at the markets before 10am and I hear that is a fairly inappropriate time to be out drinking. However, once I heard that Fancy Hank’s BBQ were operating out of Mercat Cross, I didn’t have to think twice!
I was pleasantly surprised at how the space looked. It has a bit of a uni student chic sort of look to it, with vintage couches strewn around the dimly lit bar space. The bar sprawls out into a balcony on one side and an atrium-​style area on the other with cool vintage booths and a pool table.
The beverage offerings are fairly average and just a little bit on the pricey side, but overall the Mercat Cross would be great for group drinks if you’re up that end of the CBD.

This place rated high cause they have cheap sangria $ 5 and an amazing balcony looking over the Vic Market. The bar tender was super nice and kinda looked like Harry Potter (cute). Apparently this place gets busy wednesday nights after the night market so I’ll definitely be back. Top summer spot.