Melbourne Entertainment

Carlisle Wine Bar

#26 of 753 things to do in Melbourne

#5 of 1269 entertainment in Pacific

2 reviews | Write a review

Good for: wine, Romance, atmosphere, food, service

  • Address
    • 137 Carlisle St Balaclava
  • Transport
    • Balaclava
    • 3, 16
  • Phone
    • 03 9531 3222
  • Hours
    • brunch Sat & Sun, dinner daily

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Lonely Planet review for Carlisle Wine Bar

Dark and inviting, this is the kind of place that makes you wish you were a regular. In summer, pavement tables are perfect for a beer and a long segue into a rustic Italian dinner. The wine list is top notch, including reasonably priced old and rare bottles. But it's not all about wine. A handsome barman will whip you up a fine cocktail, in between flipping over the vinyl. Friday and Saturday can get rowdy.

 

Traveller reviews for Carlisle Wine Bar (2)

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    the younger brother to the old ciccolina,

    nicl recommends this,

    great wine list, good wait staff, grubs good, but not great...

    Good for: wine

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    An incongruous mix

    tildajane1 recommends this,

    Initially Carlisle Wine Bar may seem like an anomaly tucked away on a shopping strip dominated by Jewish shops.
    But on closer inspection, the dimly lit, narrow dining room echoes the heart and soul of an area just east of more mainstream St Kilda.
    The East St Kilda/Balacalva secret is well and truly out - as pretty young things, artsy mums and Oz Rock band members share the footpath with the Russian boot-menders, brilliant butchers and plenty of $2 shops.
    A small area outside the wine bar, with a couple of tables, is a great vantage point to watch the eclectic mix of people passing by.
    But it is inside where the action really occurs. An old record player sits behind the long bar – along with a very cool collection of vinyl – which sets the soundtrack for the evening. Anything from Stevie Wonder to Otis Redding will and does get a spin here.
    Carlisle Wine Bars staff are casual, but efficient, and impossibly grungey and cool, who look like they would be equally comfortable among the customers - who incidentally are an incongruous mix of locals and regulars, long-time lovers and shy first dates, who have all discovered the wonderful food, wine and atmosphere.
    Despit its name, the wine bar serves brilliant Italian-style food, punctuated with solid Italian classics like a beautifully balanced spaghetti with prawns, chilli, garlic and olive oil and other heavier dishes as well as delectable starters like tuna carpaccio and pistachio crumbed calamari.
    The wine bar is a small oasis next door to a betting shop and pub – but as you will be sure to find out - Carlisle Wine Bar isn't just about the food.

    Good for: Romance, atmosphere, food, service

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