Just Open: POW Kitchen, St Kilda

The Melbourne Pub Group has turned the Prince of Wales Hotel's band room balcony into Asian eatery POW Kitchen – think Chin Chin meets Bali holiday.

Executive chef Daniel Hawkins (ex-Longrain) and head chef Woosun Choi (ex-Newmarket Hotel) are covering all bases with a menu that travels from Korea (wok-fried pork bulgogi with gochujang) to Thailand (chicken and coconut yellow curry), plus a selection of small, medium and large plates designed to mix and match.

It's a menu geared towards beers (there are 16 on tap) and frosty cocktails using ingredients such assour plum, yuzu and dragonfruit.

Designed by Six Degrees (Newmarket Hotel, Auction Rooms), POW Kitchen's vibe is cheap and cheerful – think brushed copper tables, exposed pipes, and coconuts filled with rum and cocktail umbrellas.

There's room for 55 inside – a dining area has been built alongside a space that will still be used for live music and DJs after dinner – and another 45 on a covered balcony overlooking Fitzroy Street.

Open Mon-Thu 4pm-10.30pm; Fri 4pm-11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun noon-10.30pm.

29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, 03 9536 1122, princebandroom.com.au