Gerald's Bar
Bar · Carlton North ·
Seasonal bistro menu, eclectic art, lively atmosphere, great wine
Seasonal bistro menu, eclectic art, lively atmosphere, great wine
"You’ll find plenty of industry types hanging out at Gerald’s Bar, where Heston Blumenthal has even been known to spin records behind the bar. For 15 years, owners Gerald Diffey and Mario Di Ienno have brought their jovial spirit to the bar, filling the place with laughter, good cheer, and happy times. The drink list is interesting and far-reaching, and there’s a simple bistro menu to keep you well fed." - Audrey Bourget
"A leafy Rathdowne Street storefront filled with vintage ephemera that draws on a European/Spanish sensibility: it has a sister bar in San Sebastián and a food menu influenced by that connection, featuring dishes like baccalà with potato bread and Basque cheesecake. The wine list is broad and largely European, with a by-the-glass selection that changes nightly." - Besha Rodell
"If every neighborhood had a Gerald’s, no one would ever again venture far from home. Jovial, relaxed, and inhabited by locals, this is the warm and welcoming wine bar you want as your second living room. With lace curtains and shelves of tchotchkes, the space—in Carlton North—isn’t going to win any design awards; then again, it has a charming European atmosphere—as if it's been airlifted out of a small Spanish or Italian village. The 200 bottles on the wine list range from the classics to the skin-contact and orange selections that seem to be getting a lot of recent attention. There are always three reds, three whites, and a sparkling open for by-the-glass pours—if you happen to get there early enough or as a bottle finishes, you get to choose the next to lose its cork. You can also order from the range of craft beers, classic cocktails, and spirits, but most people are here for the vino. To ignore the menu—which changes daily and is written on a sheet of butcher’s paper hanging behind the bar—is to do yourself a disservice." - Carrie Hutchinson
"An unpretentious neighbourhood bar on the leafy streets of Carlton North that has remained largely unchanged despite Melbourne’s cut‑throat dining scene. A dedicated sommelier uncorks standout wines, both Australian and European, while the kitchen turns out tiny, top‑class pintxos as perfect accompaniments. The atmosphere is intimate and social—take a spot at the long bar, enjoy a great record (or three), and easily strike up a conversation with the person beside you or the one behind the counter." - SilverKris
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