6 creatives share their favourite wine bars in Melbourne
IMAGE VIA @BIANCAEHILL/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY IZZY WIGHT
“Every time I’ve visited for one drink, I’ve ended up leaving hours later, feeling like I’ve just had a long warm hug.”
As the first rays of sunshine start to peek through Melbourne’s winter-worn trees, the city’s many wine bars are starting to fill up. Here, spring means glasses of skin-contact orange and sparkling pet nat while sitting on a bench on Lygon or Johnston Street.
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Whatever your budget, tastes and level of wine knowledge (yes, it’s okay to just order the bottle with the nicest label), there’s a neighbourhood locale with friendly faces, bread and tinned fish to share. Below, 6 Australian creatives tell us their favourite wine bars in Melbourne.
Sanam Goodman, writer and content creator
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On any given weekend, you’ll probably find me down at Bahama Gold on Lygon Street. What it lacks in size it makes up for in vibes, with a rotating list of lo-fi wines and tunes. I love perching myself on the seats out the front, particularly on a sunny afternoon, drinking one of their many delicious tap wines and snacking on something salty. Often I’ll leave with a bottle from their wine shop, and I know I’ll always find something unique.
Julia Kay, Co-CEO and Co-Founder at Great Wrap
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It’s Public Wine Shop for me. When I first moved to Melbourne, I lived a street away from where Public Wine now sits. I love visiting this part of the world because it reminds me of moving to a new city, and a period in my life when I had time to explore. If I were to start my own wine bar, I would want it to be just like this – it’s intimate, but the long communal table in the middle means you can end up sharing a meal with people you’ve just met.
Campbell Burton’s wine selection is a treat, and all of their stories are shared with excitement, which I love. The food is French-ish and delicious. Almost every time I’ve visited for one drink, I’ve ended up leaving hours later, feeling like I’ve just had a long warm hug. It’s perfect for every crowd and they have a full collection of vinyl.
Bianca Hill, digital creator
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My favourite wine bar in Melbourne is absolutely Cam’s Kiosk at Abbotsford Convent. I almost want to gatekeep this place because, while it’s relatively popular, I still speak to so many people who have never heard of it. It has an incredible wine selection (big fan of their chilled reds!) and next-level food, plus the vibes inside and outside are immaculate. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate date, friend catch-up or occasion (I had my 30th here!).
Bella Clark, jewellery designer
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When it comes to winding down the week in the studio, I have a soft spot for some of Melbourne’s wine bars. While I would not call myself a wine connoisseur (more of a cocktail girl), I’m more about the vibe and company. I often find myself where there is warm afternoon light and a friend’s house close by, followed by dinner. My go-to spots include City Wine Shop on Spring Street, Gerald’s Bar in Carlton North is another gem, followed by Napier Quarter.
Hannah Cohen, writer and Publicist at Project Hutton
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Old Palm Liquor (OPL) is a go-to date night spot of mine with great plonk and impeccable vibes. It simply oozes with charm and the service, in my opinion, is some of the best in Melbourne – warm, informative, and totally charming. Pair these delicious energies with a scrumptious wine list that’s both varied and easy to navigate and you’ve got yourself a fool-proof watering hole with a delicious menu to match. Boasting a list of mostly low-intervention wines, OPL is one of my favourite spots for a juicy glass of skin-contact orange by the bar’s crackling fire with side of their famously addictive flatbread. Total heaven.
Carmen Darling, Operations Manager at E Nolan
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[My pick is] Public Wine Shop in Fitzroy North. I have found myself sitting here, enjoying the afternoon sun on the curbside tables many a time. I am often tempted by a chilled red or a fruity orange but am susceptible to any of the lovely staff’s suggestions on what they have open by the glass.
My partner and I have even walked in while waiting for a takeaway from Just Falafs, passing the time sitting in the window with a glass of wine, usually leaving in the company of another bottle from their extensive shelves. The menu changes frequently to showcase the best seasonal produce (by following their Instagram, I am tempted daily by the typewriter print-out).
I never feel like I’m missing out as a vegetarian when there is something deliciously pickled, some Loafer bread and butter, and not just an ordinary plate of greens and beans. If you, like me, have the sweetest tooth, there is always a delightful tart with cream or an olive oil choccy mouse – to be enjoyed in the company of strangers at the shared table inside.
Camille Allen, writer and intern at Fashion Journal
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If I am being completely honest, my favourite Melbourne wine spot would be at the homes of my friends. The love that is shared over a bottle of $12 BWS Pinot Noir while sitting in a dingy sharehouse is immense. We introduce each other to new albums and chat about recent flings. If, however, we finish the bottle (we always do), there are a few places I like to frequent: Rooks Return on a Wednesday for amazing jazz, the Brunswick Green does a tasty mulled wine, Black Cat’s velvet couches are perfect for a boozy conversation and the Evelyn Hotel for a game of pool and people-watching.
For more of the best wines in Melbourne, head here.
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