We all seek the perfect spot for an intimate and romantic glass of wine with someone special, or simply a great place to relax after a tough work week and enjoy a chilled-out drink with friends.
We’ve rounded up five of our fave wine bars to imbibe, eat and socialise when the mood strikes…
Newly-opened Osteria
Be one of the first to experience the newly-opened neighbourhood osteria, Bar Rocco on Leicester Street in Coorparoo. This Brisbane dining destination, the sibling of next-door restaurant Ramona Trattoria, offers casual drink and snack options that locals can wander in for, grab a wine and chill out with friends.
A leafy entrance leads to alfresco catchups on balmy days while indoors is compact with a marble counter, potted greenery and cosy table settings promising dishes and drinks to delight; delve into the likes of Wagyu steak, broad leaf rocket, Parmigiano and lemon, washed down with a glass of Pinot Noir.
Evocative Bar & Boutique Hotel
Step into the shadows to see the light at Sydney’s newest and oldest hotel and bar, Morris on Pitt Street in Haymarket. Housed within a striking Italian renaissance building with palatial Art Deco sentiments, Morris has found new life as an evocative bar and boutique hotel; poised like dusk, between old and new light, this is a destination that hums with intrigue and like no other.
The bar is a meeting of moody lighting, classic table finishings and highly illusionary artwork, choose to sip an Ocean’s Depth Martini with green ant gin, dry vermouth, house brine and Sicilian olives while devouring grilled prawns, sea urchin sauce, salmon pearl a shichimi.
Local Neighbourhood Bar
Your local neighbourhood bar set in the heart of Windsor, Holy Grail on Chapel Street has been proudly serving the community for more than a decade. With a foundation built on music, cocktails and fun along with a focus on rum, the Grail is a space where you feel like having one before and one after – whether it is Happy Hour, knock-ons or knock-offs.
If you are meeting a group of friends, or even on a first date, the feeling of home is always evident within these wooden walls; settle in with a sips like a whisper White Lava cocktail with Four Pillars Navy Gin, Chambord, Lico 43 Horchata and Malibu, or a Watermelon Long Island Tea with tequila, vodka, rum, Aperol, watermelon, soda and lime.
Shared Plates & Natural Wines
Escape bustling Hindley Street in the heart of Adelaide, up the stairs and into Paradise at Thirsty Tiger lounge and cocktail bar. The latest member of an ever-growing gang including 99 Gang Social, this watering hole is for those looking for shared plates, bar snacks, tropical cocktails and natural wines; all served in trendy surrounds of blue and white tiles, yellow tables and neon lights.
Open Friday and Saturday nights along with brunch on Sunday, team a signature Bloody Tiger – wasabi-infused vodka, tomato juice, celery bitter, Worcestershire sauce and lemon – with buttermilk chicken dipped in hot honey glaze, served with pickled cabbage and Kewpie.
Date Nights, After-work & Much More
A hidden gem within the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, La La Land is the ideal place for an intimate date night, after-work catchup, or get-together with friends. Located on the first level on the corner of Hardware and Little Lonsdale Streets, chill out on comfortable leather Chesterfield couches in a relaxed atmosphere of well-worn brick and timber to experience the highest quality service of classic cocktails, wine, beer, whisky and other spirits.
Start your evening with a Slow Death, or Porn Star Martini cocktail to set the scene; perhaps a hit of Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch hits the mark, best enjoyed with a grazing board of pork and pistachio terrine, cheese, smoked almonds, olives and sea salt pita crisps.
