A European-inspired wine bar, bottle shop and gourmet deli boasting an underground dine-in cellar.
When The Prince Hotel returns from forced hibernation on Friday, 30 October at 4pm, there’ll be plenty to shout about. The four-year, multi-million dollar refurbishment of the St Kilda icon is finally complete, with a stylish new wine bar Little Prince Wine adding to the venue’s already impressive hospitality offer which includes boutique accommodation, the Prince Dining Room, Prince Public Bar, live music venue Prince Bandroom and events and function space the Prince Deck.
Little Prince Wine opened quietly onto Melbourne’s hospitality scene on the first day of Lockdown 2.0, and has been moonlighting as a neighbourhood coffee haunt, bottle shop and gourmet grocer ever since. But now it will operate as it was always intended; a chic European-inspired wine bar.
The Prince Hotel’s Managing Director Andrew Ryan said he is thrilled to open up the venue and start welcoming guests.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the level of support we’ve seen from our local community these past few months and we can’t wait to see them interact with the space in its new iteration. We’re also looking forward to welcoming visitors from outside our five-kilometre radius,” he said.
“We want Little Prince Wine to become the kind of place you pop into for a quick drink, but then find yourself cosily ensconced in the corner till the wee hours, caught up in conversation with your date or new-found friend.”
Both the gourmet grocer and wine store will remain as part of the Little Prince Wine core offering. There are more than 4,000 bottles in the collection which has been meticulously curated over the past decade by The Prince Hotel’s Sommelier Laurent Rospars.
The impressive underground cellar, which includes a large communal table for casual drinks and dining, is also available for private dinners and VIP events.
The space includes custom-made zinc and timber communal tables dotted with bar stools, as well as dining tables for small groups. It’s framed by wine cellar walls for guests to select a bottle to enjoy in-house or at home, and showcases an abundance of produce within its deli-style cabinet.
Little Prince Wine can be accessed via Acland Street or through Prince Public Bar and will be open daily from 11am until late. Visit www.theprince.com.au/little-prince-wine/. Prince Deck will be available by appointment only, while Prince Bandroom remains closed.
Little Prince Wine
Little Prince Hotel, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
03 9536 1111
Images: Jana Langhorst