Boutique bevvies reign supreme here. This bar offers up a bottled kind of heaven, where you may even meet your maker. Your wine-maker, that is!
How do you enjoy a drink out? Do you prefer to stand next to a winemaker, a lawyer or a politician? At The Wine Underground, there's a good chance of tasting a Kiwi sav blanc next to all three.
This inner-city basement bar is a destination for those who want to understand the vineyard roots lingering under each drop that they sip. It offers a mind-boggling selection of boutique wines sourced from across Australia and around the world. The owners are longstanding wine retailers and connoisseurs, and they also organise wine-maker nights and regular tasting events.
Staff are friendly and keen to impart their vino wisdom while they pour. Expect to find more than 600 wines at your whim, but prices are retail only. Corkage costs an steep $9 extra, if you want to enjoy a complete drinking experience.
Beer-lovers can try Belgian pilsners, classic Czech lagers or Australian ales under the Blue Tongue and Mountain Goat labels.
To blend in, you could try and don the winemaker's uniform of flannelettes and gumboots. But, if you can't discuss yeast strains and vine clones, best stick to a power suit.
Drinks aside, The Wine Underground also serves up fine dining options. It's menu features oysters, roast beef and quince vanilla pudding.
Damien Wilson
