High tea with a twist at The Windsor Hotel bar

The Hotel Windsor's chandeliered dining room is synonymous with dainty pinkie-finger-extended afternoon tea. But step next door into the Bradman-wallpapered Cricketers Bar and an alternative to the traditional dainty tiered tea stand is on offer.

The gentlemanly high tea is served on Fridays and Saturdays. Pair the posh ploughman's-inspired platter ($29) with a dram of delicate Nant whisky, or a beer from the Otways' Forrest Brewing Company.

Highlights of the hearty British board, designed by executive chef Joel Alderson, include a smoky pumpkin scone with a quenelle of horseradish cream, potent stilton and leek quiche, and a rich oxtail terrine wrapped with slithers of spud.

Be a sport and settle in on a bar stool for the afternoon - tweed jacket optional.

The Cricketers Bar, Hotel Windsor, 111 Spring Street, Melbourne, Fri-Sat 12.30pm-5.30pm, 9633 6170, thehotelwindsor.com.au