Bellisima! The team at popular Italian sanga bar Rocco's have quietly opened a new upstairs watering hole, christened Vince's Bar in honour of one of the owner's fathers. Designed to be a casual evening spot for weekend drinks and snacks, the new space boasts a winning cocktail menu and an outdoor patio – perfect for soaking up those moody dusk vibes.
Compared to downstairs Rocco's, Vince's is a slightly more hushed affair with an intimate wood-panelled bar, a smattering of stools and tables for sharing small bites to eat. Think oysters, mortadella mousse tartlets, salumi and shoestring fries. Italian traditionalists will love the crescentina (fried bread dough) with Cantabrian anchovies, goat ricotta and lemon dust, a classic dish from Modena.
For drinks, Vince's Bar has curated a small wine list and a selection of classic and modern cocktails that shine the spotlight on Italian ingredients. Try a Vince's Martini, made with grapefruit bitters and a slick of chamomile oil, or a Spaghetti Western No. 2, which combines mezcal, mango, rose vermouth, prosecco and bitters. There's also a Pandan Negroni, dancing with flavours of gin, vermouth and pandan syrup.
Vince's Bar is open from 6pm until late every Friday and Saturday night. Walk-ins are welcome, so grab a friend, take a stroll down Gertrude Street and find a nook upstairs to Spritz the night away.