Just Open: Stoke Bar & Kitchen, Melbourne CBD

Downstairs at Stokehouse City has been refurbished, rebranded and reopened as Stoke Bar & Kitchen. The casual bar-eatery has a separate identity to the Stokehouse restaurant above.

"We want Stoke Bar & Kitchen to be somewhere you can pop by to have a quick drink with a friend or stay around for a more substantial casual meal," says owner Frank van Haandel.

Stoke has a darker, broodier feel. "It has a familiarity with a classic sensibility," van Haandel says.

The menu by head chef Sam Webb, overseen by Stokehouse City executive chef Ollie Gould, ranges from snacks to full sit-downs.

On the bar menu, available from noon, you'll find Calabrian salami pizza, the Stoke burger, salt cod croquettes and oysters kilpatrick.

The lunch and dinner menu sees a more substantial offering, including prawn and crab linguine and fish pie.

There are 28 wines by the glass and a regularly changing craft beer list.

Stoke Bar & Kitchen is open Monday to Saturday from noon; 7 Alfred Place, Melbourne, 9525 5555, stokehouse.com.au