Hamilton North’s go-to kid, dog, and human refuge, ELMAs, is officially open on Friday nights with ELMAs After Dark.

With owners Nathan and Isla taking over the old-school building on Clyde Street in May 2021, ELMAs has really inserted itself as a go-to amongst the local community with their specialty coffee, worldly dishes, and killer welcoming vibes.

Come Fridays, the corner space has extended their opening hours until 8pm into the evening and are serving up some local booze and tasty share plates.

Pull up a chair within their moody café space or take over a table out amongst the gumtrees under the festoon lights with the whole family.

Just like their café menu, ELMAs After Dark menu offers some delightfully intriguing flavours.

Each dish has been designed to share, with favourites including the Golden Falafel Bites complete with beetroot hummus, herb marinated goats’ cheese, and Dukka; Korean Gyoza with sweet ‘n spicy Thai glaze and crispy shallots;

The Kimchi Pancake Canapes served with tofu, kimchi, and cucumber sesame slaw are perfect for sharing, as is the Grilled Halloumi Pinchos complete with grilled halloumi with charred corn, fresh tomato, cucumber, and chilli salsa on toasted rye.

The overarching focus on the food menu is small-sized share plates with an impactful flavour profile. If grazing is more your style, you can’t go past the board of Breads, Dips, and Pickled Bits complete with grilled olive oiled Uprising Sourdough, beetroot hummus, Lebanese garlic toum, and Hattie’s famous chilli guac.

If cheese is your jam, get around the venue’s Fromage De Platey which is served with a rotating spread of cheese, nuts, quince pasta, and crackers.

Pair all ELMAs After Dark’s delicious food offerings with a pick from their after-dark drinks menu. Featuring a selection of locally crafted beers, house-made cocktails, and local wines; there’s a drop made for everyone.

Starting with the local beer list, diners can get their hands on brews from Beresfield-based brewery Malt ‘n Hops, Islington’s Method Brewing and Shout Brewing, and cider from Tilse’s Apple Truck Cider.

Cocktails more your thing? The ELMAs team has you sorted with three unique creations including the ELMAs Negroni made with Earp gin, Okar Tropical Vermouth, and applewood amaro; Basilica made with Earp gin, fresh basil, and lime, and shaken with tonic; and lucky last, The Wrangler complete with Havana Club rum, iced with lime and ginger, and poured over ginger beer.

Wine drinkers have been well looked after with a handful of pours from Tamburlaine Organic Wines, Margan Wines, and Vinden Wines.

Whether you’re a local to the Hamilton North-based venue or are after somewhere laidback to enjoy a Friday afternoon beverage surrounded by good friends and family with a tasty food and drink offering, ELMAs After Dark is here to welcome you.