The Rusty Barrel is the first hospitality venture from local lad Billy Crean, who noticed a gap for a casual dining space and watering hole along Varsity Lakes’ main drag – and he’s aiming to fill it with an offering of share-style dishes and snacks, hearty burgers and a well-stocked bar shining a light on whiskies and cocktails. The food menu is designed to balance light and fresh offerings (like kingfish ceviche with pickled jalapenos and kaffir lime) with more indulgent bites like ‘fat fries’ loaded with maple-bacon and provolone, and horseradish potato gems with coconut dipping sauce. There’s also plates like triple-cheese burger spring rolls with pickle sauce, beetroot and sour-cherry pork-belly bites, and puffed haloumi with chargrilled rockmelon.

You can curb your appetite with one of The Rusty Barrel’s signature burgers – think sticky pulled brisket, a mac’n’cheese burger with maple-cheese sauce, pork-belly burgers and a cornflake-crumbed zucchini and corn cheeseburger for the meat-free folk. As for the sips, The Rusty Barrel has enlisted local bar specialist Jesse Chan (formerly of Lucky Bao) to oversee the list of libations, which sees a heavy focus on cocktails crafted with house-infused spirits like banana and cardamon-infused whiskies, chilli-laced tequilas, and house-spiced rums. You’ll also find an (ever-growing) collection of around 30 whiskies, a raft of local gins, plus beers and wine.

Keen? Head to our Stumble Guide for The Rusty Barrel’s opening hours, address and contact details.