Nina’s Bar & Dining

In keeping with the neighbourhood-bar vibes, Hayley’s wine list tries to stay affordable for repeat visits, with most of the wines by the glass hovering around the $12 to $14 mark. The mix leans on her faves – alternative Italian varieties, Champagne and riesling – but she’s particularly partial to a chenin blanc (evidenced by the tattoo on her wrist). Chenin is always available by the glass,  and you can also order drops by the carafe or half-glass. Victorian representation includes newcomers like Place of Changing Winds, Kerri Greens and Mise en Place. The through-line? Intervention is minimal, by winemakers who care deeply for the land they work on. 

Wines aside, there’s a bunch of fun cocktails that go beyond the staples: cue the house Martini (which uses manzanilla sherry in place of vermouth) and the retro Blue Monday (matching the blue decor with Alizé fruit liqueur, vodka and absinthe). There’s also a range of produce-forward cocktails, like Nina’s Spritz, which mixes Japan’s sake rice wine, apple, honey and thyme, and What’s Golden? made with whisky, golden beetroot, honey and ginger. Or keep it alcohol-free with a Brunswick-brewed Monito Mate or a house-made soda with sweet-sour charred pineapple or fresh rhubarb and cucumber.