NOW EXPERIENCING:Bar Romantica
Drinks Directory|Melbourne|Bar|Good for groups

Bar Romantica

52 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, VIC, 3057
Phone
03 9191 9410
Website
barromantica.com.au
Instagram
@bar_romantica

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 19 Apr 2023

By
Michael Harden

Inside Bar Romantica in Melbourne

With 1960s espresso-bar good looks, a lively mix of modern-day drinks, and delightful Italian snacks, Bar Romantica is the dream neighbourhood local.

Inside Bar Romantica in Melbourne's Brunswick
Why you goFor hardcore fans of old-school American bars, Bar Romantica might just be love at first sight. First, there's the retro décor combining an original terrazzo floor with horseshoe booths upholstered in cheery red vinyl. Then, of course, the pendant lights dimmed enough to cast everyone in a flattering light. And last, but by no means least, there’s the superb American oak bar at the front – curved and beautiful, it’s surrounded by fixed bar stools and sits next to the front window, which is hung with Venetian blinds. It could be the set for a 1980s music video, but when you get a load of the quality of the liquor on the shelves, the excellence of the beer and wine offering and the menu of user-friendly Italian food, including pizza available until late, you quickly realise Romantica has all the right moves.
Why you stayRomantica is all about seeing where the night takes you. The cruisy vibe, even on weekends, mean there’s no rush, whether you’re settling into a booth for a long-overdue catch-up with your besties or you’ve just stopped by for a pizza and a beer on your way home from seeing a gig. Maybe a couple of your friends decide to join you. With food and drink getting equal billing it’s easy to upsize the food order – add some oysters, anchovies and beef tartare to the mix, or prawn and XO sauce pasta, or add another pizza, the one with the Italian sausage, perhaps. And equally easy to move from craft beer or classic cocktails to a bottle of wine from a surprisingly comprehensive list that runs the gamut from top-dollar Champagne to classic Margaret River cabernet merlot. Whatever Romantica path you’ve decided to tread, good-humoured and efficient service will accompany you on your journey. The good humour seems to rub off on the crowd, too, further assuring this joint’s permanent place on your regular list.
Pizza is a highlight at Bar Romantica
A Negroni at Bar Romantica in Melbourne
What drink to orderAt first glance, Bar Romantica might not strike you as a bar that would be particularly invested in quality wine from across the globe. But run your eyes over the by-the-glass selection and the fact there’s Spanish sparkling wine and Italian vermentino rubbing shoulders with skin-contact sauvignon blanc from Victoria and Tasmanian pinot noir can make you wonder why the owners didn’t call it Wine Bar Romantica. The tightly packed 15-page list includes specific sections for Italian whites, Spanish reds and a whole page of orange wines and rosé, while the beer selection gives a pretty good round-up of what’s happening in the craft-beer world right now, from spelt and sour rye ale to saison and stout. Cocktails keep it familiar with old friends like Negroni, Old Fashioned and Espresso Martini alongside decent lists of tequila and whisky.
What to pair it with

There’s plenty of good stuff on the Romantica food list, but the stars of the show are the pizzas. They’re Neapolitan-style, so they come out of the electric oven with crisp, charry crusts and rich centres. The signature Pizza Romantica is all about the beauty of simplicity in a classic red, white and green combination of tomato, fior di latte cheese and fresh basil. And it tastes as good at 6pm as it does at midnight.

 

Regular’s tipBar Romantica hosts regular collaborations with winemakers and other restaurants and bars that might include a special-guest chef or brewer serving their latest best stuff, and long leisurely weekend lunches focusing on seasonal produce or particular cuisines. Check their Instagram account to keep up to date with what’s coming up.
A chef finishing a dish in the kitchen
Sponsor logo
In partnership with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
image credits: Parker Blain & Becca Crawford
Authour image
Michael HardenAfter 25 years writing about wine and food, Michael Harden is getting the hang of it.
Tags
Drinks DirectoryMelbourneGood for groupsRestaurantTop notch wine listKiller cocktailsVego Food OptionsMelbourne – NorthDate nightBar
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