The buzz: This waterfront gastrobar created by the folks behind Wooloo­mooloo Steakhouse is their biggest outlet yet.

The vibe: Casual and urban, like the slicker, more spacious (160 seats in total) big brother of your neighborhood dive bar. They play sports on flatscreen TVs all over The Chop House and the music is mainstream pop from the mid 2000s (think Beyonce and The Black Eyed Peas).

The food: On the menu are hearty burgers (from $20), generously sized grills such as steaks (from $28) as well as a giant beef shank ($148), a 4kg behemoth which serves at least six. Other specialties include the tortilla-wrapped apple strudel ($12).

The drinks: They’ve got the city’s first SelfTap Beer system. (You buy beer with a stored value card, which you tap against the reader before pulling your own pint.) Plus, there are six beers on draft—from $8, during happy hour (4-9pm); from $10 (after 9pm)—and simple cocktails ($16), like the Butcher’s Bleeding Mary, comprising spiked tomato mix and smoky bacon.

Why you’ll be back: For a satisfying affordable meal, in a laidback space with enough room for large groups. The Chop House is a great pick for an office party.