In October 2020, riverside precinct Howard Smith Wharves added a brand-new venue to its portfolio of hotspots, opening Felons Barrel Hall in the space formerly occupied by function space Howard’s Hall. The site was reconfigured into an Australian interpretation of the classic German beer hall, with the cavernous space filled with communal tables, new bars (one boast four 6000-litre tanks feeding into 80-odd taps), ping-pong tables, a kids play area and a stage for live-music performances. Lining the venue’s river-facing glass facade are numerous racks holding a collection of French and American oak barrels, which are utilised for concocting a range of limited-edition barrel-aged beers. Felons’ core range of brews (Australian pale ale, natural ale, crisp lager, IPA, low-carb ale and Sonny apple cider) are available alongside a collection of lo-fi and natural wines and cocktails such as the Sonny Spritz, Boozy Booch and a take on the Tommy’s margarita. As for the food, here the fun starts with snacks like Sydney rock oysters, prawn-and-mushroom spring rolls, crispy Moreton Bay bugs on curry leaves and electric honey king prawns, before segueing into zesty salads and wholesome vegetable dishes. Carnivores can sink their incisors into tamarind and ginger crispy chicken wings and kecap manis-glazed pork ribs, or opt for Felons Barrel Hall’s selection of luxe loaded fries. These indulgent and generous servings see crispy chippies lathered in seafood gravy and topped with your choice of Moreton Bay bug, spanner crab or painted crayfish – pure heaven. The culinary headliner is without a doubt the serves of crispy pork knuckle, spicy marinated wagyu skirt steak, red emperor grilled in banana leaf and wagyu short rib, which can be diced up and consumed as roll-your-own lettuce wraps.
