Concrete Playground

Wine has to feature pretty heavily on everyone’s winter craving list, when a cosy chair and a glass of red seem to be all that can shake the winter blues. So if you want all that, and to be surrounded by the comforting smell of bound paper, Norton Street’s Berkelouw Wine Bar is your place. Making spectacular use of the space above the eponymous book shop, this wine bar offers a selection of grapes that you’d be hard pressed to find in your local Dan Murphy's, as they specialise in boutique wines and know which is the one to recommend each and every parched customer.

Don't be disconcerted if you want a nibble along with your vino. With an array of tasty treats to accompany every drop, such as a scrummy collection of cheese, tasting plates that include melt in your mouth mini arancini balls, pizza and tapas, there won't just be wine going to your head and into your bellies. I'd advise to share the Piano Plate between two for a satisfying meal. Follow that up with a slightly expensive Belle Fleur chocolate platter if you're out for an extra special treat.

Not a place for the rollicking weekend crowds that inhabit other pubs nearby, this is more the place you could visit for an afternoon aperitif after browsing through the bookstore below.

To cap off all that atmosphere, it turns out the grand piano taking pride of place in the centre of the room isn't just for show. Small ensembles, pianists and singers will croon away your troubles as you sit looking down on to busy Norton Street below and wonder, why was there ever not a wine bar here?