The lowdown
The tentacles of cool bar culture have stretched all the way to Merimbula, where Bar Superette echoes Parisian style with a diverse, sophisticated wine list in the company of fine French cheeses and steak frites.
The regular’s tip
While it’s impressive to have the physical wine list in your hands with more than 450 bottles on offer, it’s always worth asking the sommelier for a recommendation. They’ll be sure to surprise you.
The nuts and bolts
- Opened 2023
- Casual all day drinking and dining
- Energetic atmosphere
- Suitable for groups of 2 – 10
- Outdoor area
- BYO allowed for a special wine
- Offers take away wine and food
Proving that smart wine bars are spreading far beyond inner-city laneways, Bar Superette in Merimbula, deep down the coast in southern New South Wales, is setting an impressive high benchmark in both wine and food quality. By being serious about food in a more casual setting than restaurants, but making sure that smartly curated wine offerings remain the primary focus of attention, the team that created Bar Superette – Ryde Pennefather (manager and wine buyer), Cam Charnock (designer and builder) and Nick Parkinson (creative, marketing and digital media bright spark) – have struck upon a winning formula.
The centrepiece is an eclectic list of more than 450 bottles of wine, with about 20 offerings by the glass, and the added attraction of random and rare bottles being poured regularly. “It’s a list that leans to the left, but it still caters for everyone, with an even spread of local and imported wines,” explains Pennefather.
Rounding out the classic wine bar styling in this 45-seat space is a food offering based around classic European bistro influences – a large deli selection of meats, cheeses and tinned fish, along with a petit bistro menu running six nights, serving small plates (think croquettes and sticky lamb ribs), snacks and steak frites.
“Our venue is based on the walk-in vibe, with reservations only taken between 5pm and 9pm for the petit bistro. It works for us and the customers.”
Completing the mood is a child soundtrack, courtesy of a full vinyl DJ setup. “The disks are spinning every day. Funk, soul and Hip-Hop are the main sounds on rotation.” It all helps to make the drinks slide down easily.
