Although being a musician and restaurant owner seem like two different worlds, Steve Schrader, the longtime Austin drummer who recently opened Hi Hat Public House, says the professions have plenty in common.

"The music world is entertainment, and I feel like when you are behind the bar, you are [entertaining], you are answering questions, interacting with the crowd," he said. "You have to be 'on' all the time."

Schrader opened Hi Hat Public House in December at 2121 E. Sixth St. The restaurant serves upscale pub dishes, and instead of relying on a fryer, uses burners and an oven to cook the food.

Entrees include risotto, beer-brined chicken and braised beef short ribs.

"Everything is tasty, there is a lot of love that goes into it," Schrader said.

Hi Hat Public House has 24 taps of local and national craft beer. Schrader is a friend of the owners of the nearby Hops and Grain brewery, 507 Calles St., and Hi Hat often carries Hops and Grain's small-batch beers.

Since opening, Schrader said the restaurant has attracted a good amount of regular customers.

"We are a neighborhood bar, which is what we wanted to have all along," he said. "It's been awesome, I get to meet new people every day."

For more information, visit www.hihatpublichouse.com.