The heritage red brick building that was until recently home to office knockoff favourite Trunk Bar has transformed into Pepe’s Italian & Liquor, a stylish new venue inspired by the late-night bars and Italian diners of New York. Owner Nick Kutcher has taken a gamble with this refresh, but it’s paid off in a moody space you’ll want to linger in. Checkered floors and cosy burgundy banquettes your surroundings for classic cocktails and house specialties like apple ‘pie-tini’s and burnt popcorn Manhattans. To eat, it’s comforting Italian-American all the way with dishes like a four-cheese baked gnocchi and share-size veal parmigianas.