Tyranny Of Distance

I went to Tyranny about two weeks ago, as it is a usual place for a coffee with friends. Although, I was absolutely appalled by the behaviour and attitude of the staff members. I have never been spoken to with such a ridiculously rude tone, I was absolutely shocked that someone could have the audacity to talk to a customer like that. We felt like they were doing us a favour by taking our order, and every question was replied with a sarcastic answer. Not to mention the eye-​rolls from one female staff member.
Considering the coffees and the food are average, with staff like that — I am never ever coming back.

We came here last week for a drink & some lunch.
We were lucky the weather was kind and we finally had a day over 30 degrees which meant all jugs (we had Sangria) were just $ 15! Big thumbs up for that.
I chose the tyranny burger and my partner had the steak sanga (sandwich). Both were quite nice and filled our tummies although slightly overpriced.
I like the relaxed vibe tyranny has. It was the perfect spot for a quick summer drink and chill.
All of the staff were lovely and the music they played was cool too.

We stumbled here one cold Friday night to have a drink and chill with the laydeez.
It’s off the beaten track and rather laid back and cool. We say in a booth that felt like we were at an undergrad party like in uni days.
I only had a soy chair latte which was noice and the food options looked good but we didn’t go there. It seems like an ace place to be if you want to chill with your uni mates, drink beer, eat pizza and talk about your arts degree.
Probs not ace for a wedding?!

I have been to this place many times. Finally, I have some time to write a short review about it. If you’re looking for a great breakfast and coffee, you’re at the wrong place. Most of the time, food and coffee are below average.
So, what’s good about this place? If you’re looking for a place to work from your laptop while having a cheeky afternoon cider, then look no further. In this scenario, I am sure Tyranny will deliver the best and I will be seeing your 5-​star reviews here.

So I’ve been putting off going to this place because I was really put off by the old grease stuck on the walls of the open lichen here, but my mate insisted that the food was really good so off we went!
Well first of all a lot of previous reviews bang on about how friendly the staff were. Not untrue, but I did have to wait a extended period of time between when I was seated before we could flag someone down for our coffee orders. So much so we all ordered our food at the same time.
The time in between ordering and our meals coming out was good, however my scrambled eggs with a side of avo was not up to standard. The kitchen had used oil instead of butter in my eggs which resulted in a greasy mess that was not to my liking. There was not a smudge of lemon juice on my avo either.
Probably would be an okay place to go for a cheeky cider on a weekend mid afternoon, but for me the breakfasts (and probably anything food related) are out!

I love the interior! It’s so quirky and its is nice and spacious. The food is fantastic and doesn’t cost you a bucketload. I’ve been here for both drinks and tapas on a night out, and also for all day breakfast/​lunch. The staff are always lovely and attentive.

Really enjoy the décor, incredibly friendly service, happy hour prices, laid back vibe and good tunes.
That said, these pluses were somewhat offset by the clouds of smoke billowing out from most of the tables. If this was a non-​smoking venue I would have given it four stars.

While touristing through Chapel St and surrounds, I stopped into Tyranny of Distance just for a coffee pick-​me-​up. The staff here were charming. I loved the junkshop décor and made sure to explore the entire venue (so many cute little rooms and spaces) before settling on a bench table next to a big window. My coffee was delicious. Coming from out of town, I’m not used to these comprehensive venues that are open from breakfast right through until post-​dinner drinks! Pretty awesome if they can deliver well on each service, but I haven’t been the judge of that. All I can say is that the staff are lovely, the coffee is good and the space is kitschy cool.

Amazing food for a very reasonable price — I have been here for a late dinner with drinks as well as breakfast (the very next day!). I had the Paella and Poached Eggs with freshly squeezed orange juice. Their food can be quite healthy or fairly rich.
Great if you have friends who smoke, as it is has a designated area that is out of the weather (otherwise there is a smoke-​free area).
Service staff seem nice and attentive as well. Fairly reasonable beers and cider on tap (James Squire ect). Fairly casual and relaxed atmosphere — reminds me of Warehouse in the CDB.

Pretty Chill brother, pretty chill.
It’s off chapel street the good end of chapel no less, and escapes
all the OTT hype that is associated with chapel street. Opposite the Bowling
Club in Windsor– this place is usually, (I have only been here at night-​) calm
and relaxed. Its a smokers bar– one of those not quite outdoors and
not quite indoors places. Cheap and cheerful, with regular beers on tap.
I have never seen the place that extends from them to the actual chapel
street entrance open, and i wonder does it ever fill? It closes early, but that’s
pretty much what you get in a low key quieter type establishment.
It will no doubt become a hipster’s favorite what with its un cohesive
mismatched interior and all. But a laid back spot, with nothing much to fault.
Just an everyday average bar.

The food here rocks pretty good! Tyranny Of Distance comes to mind often lately, I haven’t had a bad plate yet.
The tapas menu isn’t too long but contains some real gems. The salad, gyoza, porterhouse and field mushrooms are standouts. The servers have been cool and check on you pretty regularly. Good beers available.
Down side; The best room to dine in is full of cigarette smoke and I don’t think that compliments the tasty food. Non smoking dining rooms are empty and not very appealing. I hesitate to take some friends here just for that reason.

Chill and quirky place for delish brunch. Love the cool vibe, laid back atmosphere, great food, everything really. Lovely place to pass your leisurely brunch hours.

Love it. Staff are awesome, food great and the location is cool. 5 stars.

I still maintain that I was one of the first people to discover the Tyranny Of Distance, I stumbled across it just after it opened on a warm Summer’s day. I fell in love instantly, the outdoor area; sheltered by a recycled tin roof is funky, fresh and alternative. It’s great for anytime of the year in Summer the open air feel of the venue is perfect for relaxing a sipping cocktails and in Winter the friendly staff turn on the warm and toasty wall heaters.
The food at Tyranny is amazing the flatbread is one of my favourite meals going, Chicken Breast with baby spinach, tomato and cucumber salad, mmm. The Seafood Papadelle is also an absolute winner. Happy hour runs from 4pm — 7pm everyday, and the staff are always happy to try and tempt you with one of their delicious cocktails.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner Tod is an absolute winner.

Once an old gas station designed by a handful of Melbourne artists, Tyranny of Distance (Tod) has an unassuming presence about it which is rather alluring and welcoming once you get to know it.
With its unique approach to interior design Tod houses many recycled articles that help to build its character and shape the general feel and vibe of the place.
With no intention of ending up here on a Saturday night Tod was very inviting & un-​pretentiousness with its friendly laid back staff, low hanging lamps, dim lighting and and a trendy ambience.
The crowd was mixed and even notice a few date nights in action. Initially an odd choice you would assume but once you relax, sample the tapas menu an order a drink or two. why wouldn’t you want to share the love?
For tapas we ordered the roasted field mushrooms topped with sauteed leek and greek fetta $ 9 and the chargrilled calamari with cucumber, coriander and nam jim dressing $ 11.
This place could possibly be my new hang out.

What a pile of junk. No really, the place is made out of a pile of junk. Great philosophy that a lot more common in today’s society… recycling! Another important aspect is that they source local produce. The big question to ask though is all of this just a façade to get you in the door by talking about how cool the place is? Maybe, it worked on me and I’m a satisfied customer. I was quite happy with the service and the food is really good as well.
I hope that I start to see more small business use recycled content in the design of their spaces.

Tyranny of Distance (or Tod’s) is a welcoming off beat café that runs down a side street from the busy and popular Chapel Street. This place is the cool of cool. The design and architecture suits the Melbournian down to the ground. Decorated with gas bottles and alternative wall art with the fact that it is a smoking venue (due to the clever design of the roller blinds) means it’s a young persons delight. There are good beers on tap so when on a lunch break it’s hard not to take a beer over a coffee. The staff are very casual and friendly but if you’re really anal about pronto service than it might not be up to standards but is otherwise very good. The food is sensational and I’ve fallen in love with the flat bread they use for their meals and when I got there for a coffee I now always get the side of flat breads with jams because it tastes so good! I find the menu very appealing and like the fact that it does change from time to time so it keeps the regulars on their toes.
Recently, I went to Tod’s for a beer at night and the venue really comes alive where it is reminiscent of so many of the inner city bars. There is a long list of cocktails to choose from as well so it truly fits in with the Melbourne style. The music they play is always good and chilled where I like the fact it doesn’t try to ham itself up too much like some of the other bars on Chapel Street. The only problem with it is the fact that you get stuck there too long and because the beer is good you can’t leave! It could be dangerous for the easily distracted types.

«It’s cool ’cause it’s made out of junk,» I overheard one customer observe. I glimpsed my parameters. The lights fittings were constructed from old gas canisters. The tables and chairs, not to mention cutlery and crockery, were mismatched. The café was in no way confined by traditional walls or ceilings. In fact, the entire space appeared melded together from various garbage tip scraps.
I recently visited with a friend of mine who sighed at entry and said, «I always wish I was a smoker whenever I come here.» The place, a mess of aesthetics, seems to be designed primarily for smokers. The lack of walls and ceilings to which I earlier referred allows smoking Melburnians to indulge their lungs in an indoor-​like setting. It’s quite ingenious.
The food is pretty good. Very decent serving sizes, interesting cuisine. I wouldn’t rave about the place but I would recommend it for those who seek a quasi-​outdoor setting, but like the security of posts and doorways.