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Restaurant

Barney's Bar & Bistro

3447 Ararat-Halls Gap Rd, Pomonal VIC 3381, Australia

Recommended by 72 people

Updated

Find Barney's Bar & Bistro

3447 Ararat-Halls Gap Rd, Pomonal VIC 3381, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 419 505 025
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 10:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Barney's Bar & Bistro

Ten minutes outside Halls Gap, this converted shearing shed serves hearty country classics with unpretentious rural warmth. Vintage signs and rustic timbers set a lived-in tone—no tourist polish, just locals around the wood fire and families unwinding on the lawn. Patrons single out the chicken parma alongside tender kangaroo loin in spiced jus, plus a menu where roughly ninety percent of dishes can be ordered gluten-free, right down to the crisp battered fish. Tables pour wine from Black & Ginger next door while kangaroos graze past the fence line at dusk.

  • Broad Gluten-Free Coverage: Battered fish, parmas, and pub staples prepared safe for coeliac and gluten-free diners across roughly 90% of the kitchen roster.
  • Converted Shearing Shed Heritage: Housed in an authentic historic shearing shed with vintage signs, old machinery displays, and grazing kangaroos outside.
  • Adjacent Cellar Door Pours: Direct access to local pours from neighboring Black & Ginger Wines alongside regional craft drinks.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at Barney's Bar & Bistro

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Guests Choose Barney's Bar & Bistro

Discover why locals and travellers make the short scenic drive to Pomonal for authentic dining, rustic heritage, and effortless celebrations.

  • Historic Shearing Shed Heritage

    Barney's is housed in an authentic converted shearing shed, showcasing rustic Australiana memorabilia and vintage country character.

    As soon as we walked up to the premises we were struck by the fact that it is a converted shearing shed. When we went in the interior was fascinating and very Australian.

    Michael Houston

  • Authentic Rural Feel Away from Crowds

    Located minutes outside the main tourist hub in Pomonal, Barney's provides a genuine, welcoming country bistro atmosphere where locals and travellers mingle.

    The inside space has a real local feel and doesn’t feel touristy at all, which is refreshing for the area.

    Jesse Glicker

  • Attached Boutique Cellar Door Experience

    Direct integration with Black & Ginger Wines next door allows diners to enjoy boutique regional wines alongside hearty bistro fare.

    Lovely inside and area and beer garden. Winery is attached to the pub too! Really cool place to eat 10 mins out of halls gap!

    Joshua Waldron

  • Family-Friendly Space and Accommodating Dining

    Thoughtful family-friendly dining options accommodate sensitive dietary preferences alongside spacious outdoor grounds with vintage farm machinery to explore.

    Our son (sensory issues) was delighted to find chicken dinos on the menu (most important) and discovered a new found love for garlic cheese pizza (high praise). Topped off with gelato for dessert and a play outside with the old machinery and artful metal designs.

    Debbie Kornas

  • Stress-Free Hands-On Event Hosting

    Dedicated event management handles complete coordination from setup to packing away, ensuring milestone events and weddings run smoothly.

    From helping us set up the space to meticulously packing everything away at the end of the night, they took all the stress off our shoulders.

    Stacey Jane

  • Generous Spaces for Milestone Celebrations

    Expansive indoor dining halls and rustic grounds comfortably cater to large wedding parties and milestone gatherings while preserving an intimate hospitality vibe.

    The place is absolutely stunning. It is HUGE whilst still feeling intimate!

    Fernanda Quilici Mola

Customer favourites and regional bistro classics

  • Chicken Parma

    Best parma I have ever had (and that's a big call).

    Debbie Kornas

  • Calamari

    Best calamari I have ever had - and I don't even like calamari.

    Fernanda Quilici Mola

  • Battered Fish with Chips

    90% of the food was gluten free! lucky me 😀 I haven't eaten battered fish with chips in 4 years. Delicious.

    Jo Jarman

  • Kangaroo Loin

    The highlight of the night was undoubtedly the kangaroo loin – cooked to perfection with a beautiful sear on the outside and incredibly tender within.

    Vlad Hyvää

Other favorites

Desserts, starters, and comforting accompaniments

  • Apple Crumble

    To round out the meal, I went with the apple crumble, and it was everything you’d want in a classic dessert – warm, comforting, and absolutely delicious.

    Vlad Hyvää

  • Sticky Date Pudding

    Coupled with an absolute bomb of a sticky date pudding to round off the meal.

    Noel Teo Jin Hong

  • Garlic Cheese Pizza

    discovered a new found love for garlic cheese pizza (high praise)

    Debbie Kornas

  • Buffalo Wings

    can definitely recommend the buffalo wings as well

    Steven Strang

Beyond the menu

Memorable, above-and-beyond hospitality touches that elevate dining at the bistro.

  • Inclusive Gluten-Free Pub Fare

    Roughly 90% of the menu is prepared gluten free, allowing guests with strict dietary needs to safely enjoy pub staples like battered fish and chips without worry.

  • Thoughtful Kids' Menu Options

    The kitchen provides reliable, kid-friendly favorites like dinosaur chicken nuggets alongside garlic cheese pizza, keeping young diners happy and easing sensory needs.

  • Rustic Machinery and Wildlife Grounds

    Guests can head outside to explore vintage farming machinery displays and metal art installations across the grounds while spotting wild kangaroos in adjacent paddocks.

  • Personal Heritage Tours from the Chef

    Owners and chefs personally step out into the dining room to share the history of the converted shearing shed, offering hands-on hospitality and deep local knowledge.

Before you head over

Practical guidance on bookings, timing, and dining options for your visit

  • Book in advance

    Barney's is a popular spot with locals and visitors and frequently books out, even on weeknights. Reserving ahead is strongly recommended, especially for groups.

  • Check seasonal operating hours

    Located about 10 to 15 minutes outside the central Halls Gap strip, lunch service times can be limited depending on the season, so check hours before heading over.

  • Explore extensive gluten-free options

    Roughly 90% of the menu can be prepared gluten-free, including pub classics like battered fish and chips, offering stress-free dining for dietary requirements.

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