Carlisle Wine Bar

An incongruous mix

Food

Service

Atmosphere

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.