By James Atkinson
A spate of bar and restaurant openings in Newcastle continues the city’s reinvention as a place of diverse drinking and dining options, shedding its bad boy image of the past.
Formally launched last Friday by wine writer Patrick Haddock (pictured – photo courtesy of Katrina Holden) and co-founders, Reserve Wine Bar was welcomed by media, family and industry friends including Iain Riggs, managing director of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenwood Wines.
Riggs paid tribute to Reserve’s strong support for NSW and Hunter wine, with NSW wines accounting for 30 per cent of the bar’s wine list.
“Well done to these guys for opening this wine bar because it is a big part of Newcastle’s future,” Riggs said.
Reserve complements other new venues including the Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe, which was established five months ago by Corey Crooks, formerly licensee of The Albion Hotel. [continued below]
Housed in a beautifully restored warehouse, the Grain Store claims to have the country's largest selection of 100 per cent independent Australian craft beer, with 21 different brews on tap.
Grain Store Craft Beer Cafe
The venue also features high ceilings, an art deco interior and rustic timber floors and a tasty menu of bar snacks, gourmet pizzas, ‘ale dogs’, salads and more.
Other recent openings in Newcastle include Spanish restaurant Bocados, Bar Petite – an intimate venue featuring boutique beers and wines, and 1920s themed French restaurant Le Passe Temps.
Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Jeff McCloy told TheShout that the new venues are a logical step forward for Newcastle, which has been at the forefront of managing alcohol related anti-social behaviour, with measures such as the 1am lockout and 3am closure in the majority of establishments now being investigated by other cities across the country.
“What every city needs to do is find their balance for a thriving night time economy and the key to this is having lots of different experiences and activities which bring together lots of different ages and interests,” he said.
“Small bars are just one of these experiences.”