Noir is the new black. Unassuming yet stylish and perfect for all occasions, you’ll find a juicy mix of off-the-wall, and on-the-wall wines here, plus artful, well-curated snacks.
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This is a regulars’ bar, and Paddo locals are an interesting crew so it makes for a lively mix of punters. Expect groups of friends catching up, and linen-clad customers loudly greeting each other – all of which could make newcomers feel a little left-out occasionally, but the chatty floor staff ensure no one feels on the outer for long. It’s a versatile bar. Despite its relatively snug dimensions, it has a surprising number of seating options – all with a slightly different vibe. Want to sit on the footpath and hail passers-by? Head to the comfortable blond-timber chairs and tables. Tucked just around the corner is another alfresco area where you’ll find timber banquettes beneath a handy retractable roof. Inside, you can either go up a level to a cool mezzanine area, or down into a bolthole space (where you’ll also find the wine cellar). Then there’s the J-shaped bar at street level along with several high tables, and a small high bar along the street-front fold-back window. Wherever you snag a seat, sommelier John Little is not one to hide behind the bar. He’ll be beside your table before long, suggesting something tasty to pop in that slender-stemmed wineglass.
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You know a place is fair dinkum about its wines when, instead of shelves full of spirits, there’s an array of interesting wine bottles hanging on the wall. There’s a good blend of new-school drops and well-loved classics, but bottle numbers are limited and ever-changing, so don’t expect to find exactly the same drop you enjoyed the last time you came. On the upside, that means there’s always something new and unexpected to explore. There’s no online list either, so take the time to study it when you arrive – it’s worth it. A Stargazer riesling from Tasmania is a fine place to start. Keen to delve into rarer territory? Try a grenache blanc from Spain, or perhaps La Violetta’s latest Loosie Ranga – a rich drop with floral gewürztraminer. There are sparkling options for every palate, too, such as a King Valley prosecco from Butterfly Kisses, or splash out on Louis Roederer’s new fizz, Collection 242. Cocktail lovers can request the classics, or give one of the handful of house mixes a spin – perhaps the We’re No Angels, a blend of Woodford Reserve bourbon and yellow Chartreuse enriched with smoked honey.
