Can you believe it has already been 7 months since Newcastle West landed its very own wine bar? That’s right, it’s been a whole 7 months since the team behind Blue Kahunas opened their second venue, Bar Mellow, in the iconic historic building on Bank Corner.

Having opened a new venue, made it through the worst of the Omicron variant, and moving into 2022 with big plans, we thought it might just be the perfect time to drop by and chat with owners Prudence and Byron to hear all about their plans for their pretty epic wine bar.

“Being still quite young and new here at Bar Mellow, we really just want people to know that we are here. We’ve got amazing cocktails, we’ve got great wine and snacks,” Prudence shared.

Housed in what usually is quite a commanding street presence, the Bank Corner building is currently undergoing some much-needed restoration, hence the current scaffolding taking up the street views, but never fear, Bar Mellow is well and truly still opened and my golly, they’ve got a tonne going on!

From a brand-new menu featuring new eats, cocktails, and of course, wine menu, as well as live music planned every Friday evening and a bunch of events in the works, it’s about time you dropped into Bar Mellow.

So, what’s this new menu all about?

“Your first 12-months of opening a business is really about learning who you are and what your audience wants. You spend that time moulding it and tweaking things until you find that sweet spot. With this new menu, I feel like we’re pretty close to reaching that perfect balance.”

New Wine Menu Alert

First off the bat is, of course, the refreshed wine list, one that Prudence is incredibly proud of having undertaken the development of it herself.

“All of our wines are really fun, approachable, and accessible. Anyone from any walk of life can come in and have a glass of wine.”

With a strong focus on wines that sit under that natural umbrella, the list features mostly Australian wines, and in particular Hunter Valley wines. The list also includes a short selection of International Wines including some delicious treats from Lebanon or Slovenia.

“If I had to pick a couple of staff favourites, Makers Master Merchant Rose, Inkwell Tangerine Viognier; it’s a very textural orange skin contact wine and is incredibly tasty and the Mallaluka Mataro, Shiraz.”

Wine not quite your thing? Well, rest assured knowing that the incredibly qualified bar staff at Bar Mellow have you covered with their cocktail offering. Whilst they can make all your typical cocktail classics, it’s their signature cocktail list that’s worth perusing over.

Refreshed Cocktail Offering

“We have 6 original cocktails on the menu that we will play around with. Whether it’s a slight riff on a classic or a complete original. We have the house classic cocktails available and if someone comes in and wants to try something different, we’re happy to work with their flavour likes.”

Bar supervisor, Eamon, has really showcased his skills with the showstopping Bar Mellow take on the Milano Torino.

“He’s taken walnut oil, and he’s washed the Campari. The Campari has this beautiful walnut flavour, but it’s really subtle. Served with a caramelised orange wedge; it’s beautiful and wintery.”

Whilst that sounds absolutely divine, Prudence shares that the most popular cocktail on the menu has been the Brandy Cruster; another classic cocktail but with Bar Mellow’s own twist.

“It’s got brandy, orange aperitif, lemon sherbet, and a cinnamon sugar rim. Using lemon sherbet in place of the lemon juice adds more flavourful oils from the lemon.”

We could go on for days about each of the cocktails on Bar Mellow’s new menu, but just know that each is just as tasty as the next, all having had a huge pouring of love, dedication, and plenty of taste testing by the Bar Mellow team behind it.

“With our cocktails on this new menu, we’ve really focussed on those winter warmer vibes for the cooler seasons.”

With a resurgence into the non-alcoholic world, Bar Mellow is also now home to a collection of non-alcoholic beverages including two wine options by NON, Heaps Normal XPA, plus a couple of non-alcoholic cocktails utilising Lyre’s Spirit Co. blends.

“The non-alcoholic cocktails have been getting ordered quite a bit. I would definitely like to expand on our offering as time goes on. There is a huge range of non-alcoholic spirits available, and whilst we definitely won’t have all of it, we can definitely see us having two or three different types.”

Foodie Highlight on Bar Mellow's Tasty Snacks 

Keeping with their snack food offering, Bar Mellow has just jazzed up their offering with a couple of new menu items to keep you satisfied as you taste your way through the drinks menu. New additions include Anchovy Bites, perfect for a salty pick-me-up, the Green Pea & Zaatar Mezze dip, and a new toastie offering with pickled green beans, smoky tomato relish, and goat’s cheese.

“There’s definitely been a lot more thought, love, and time put into this menu. Eamon and I have both worked really hard on this menu.”

To add to their selection of brilliant offerings, you can now expect to hear incredibly upbeat and funky jazz beats with live music happening each Friday night from 6.30pm-8.30pm. Get their a little early and make the most of happy hour from 4.30pm-5.30pm with $6 house wines and tap beers.

Always having big plans for the venue, Bar Mellow plans to play host to a rotating selection of events each month. For the month of May, Bar Mellow has partnered with Moore’s Gin to bring you an afternoon of cocktails, snacks, and more!

“You’ll get your gin and tonic on arrival, then what we’ve done, is create a cocktail for each gin. The lovely ladies from Sea Salt & Sage Catering are coming along. We’ve paired food that will go with each cocktail. It’s a small plate that you’ll get with each cocktail. The Brand Ambassador will be there to host and to talk us through each gin”

Upcoming Event: An Afternoon with Moore’s Gin

Where: Bar Mellow | 744 Hunter St, Newcastle West
When: 28 May | 2.30pm-4pm
Tickets: $59pp+booking fee
More Info: click here

Excited for all their plans for the year, Bar Mellow invites you into their Hunter St venue to taste test all that they want to be known for; great wines, spectacular cocktails, tasty snacks, and above all, great vibes!