Where We Drink
We’re pretty into (responsible) drinking here at REVEL. It’s the reason we do what we do. And while we might struggle to find time for much during event season, heading somewhere for a glass of great wine is something we’ll always prioritise.
With so many options near our Collingwood office, we don’t tend to stray too far from our hood. Why would we? So for this first piece, we’re keeping it local.
Want to know where we drink in the inner north? Here it is.
Marion
You can’t swing a cat in Fitzroy without hitting a McConnell, and our pick of the bunch is Marion. Right next door to sister restaurant Cutler & Co (the front bar of which is another excellent place for a drink and a snack), Marion has one of the best food and wine lists this side of the river. Our plan might be to go for a glass but it always turns into a bottle. And once that soft, warm flatbread with slightly-sour fromage blanc hits the table, we kiss goodbye any plans we had for an evening at home and order the entire menu.
53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Mon to Thurs, 5pm — 11pm
Fri 12pm — 11pm
Sat and Sun, 8am — 11pm
Napier Quarter
When an apartment came up next door to Napier Quarter, our director Dan Sims’ only question was: “When can I move in?”. If you’ve been to Paris you’ll recognise its cave à mangers in the decor, in the casual, intelligent service, in the daily menu which features dishes like half a baguette served with preserves or a simple roast chook. Open all day, there’s no wrong time to go, but our preference is late afternoon. Order a glass from the options scrawled on the chalkboard, grab a seat street-side, and watch as the summer light filters through the leaves of the trees on Napier Street.
359 Napier Street, Fitzroy
Sun to Thurs, 7.30am — 10pm, Fri and Sat, 8am — 11pm
Bar Liberty
It’s hard to explain exactly what it is that draws us back to Bar Liberty. Is it Casey Wall’s (Rockwell & Sons, Above Board, ex-Cutler & Co) ridiculously addictive salt-and-pepper fried vegetables? Is it Banjo Harris Plane’s (ex-Attica) wine list, a combination of rare vintages and crunchy, fresh organics? Is it Michael Bascetta’s (ex-Attica) service with a smile, or Manu Potoi’s (Rockwell & Sons, Above Board) spunk? We don’t know. All we know is that we can’t, and won’t, quit it. Especially now that its outdoor courtyard, Drinkwell, is open for summer drinking.
234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Mon to Thurs, 5pm — 10pm, Fri to Sat, 5pm — 12am, Sunday, 12pm — 10pm
Gertrude Street Enoteca
Simple is hard. With simple, there’s nowhere to hide. It’s why the simplicity of Fitzroy stalwart Gertrude Street Enoteca is so impressive. Wine importer Jamie Broadway (who also happens to be our resident photographer) and business partner and chef Brigitte Hafner created this vinous haven well over a decade ago (a lifetime in restaurant years), and it shows no sign of slowing. Pick a bottle off the shelves inside the Italian-inspired enoteche and head out to its marvelous courtyard to imbibe. If you’re lucky, one of Melbourne’s most legendary chefs, Tansy Good (of Tansy’s fame) will be on the pans alongside Brigitte. Her simple goat cheese tart is an essential order.
229 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Daily, 11am — 11pm
Gerald’s Bar
While almost outside our strict in-walking-distance policy, we’ll make an exception for Carlton North’s favourite neighbourhood wine bar. Why? It’s impossible not to love this snug little place, cluttered with knick-knacks and a record player that almost exclusively spins soul and blues greats. Lace curtains keep the street out if you want them to, but there is something special about watching locals shop for groceries on either side from one of the outside tables. Pro tip? Go early, and you’ll get to choose which wines they open to sell by the glass.
386 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Daily, 5pm — 11pm
