Opening early-October 2022, Bar Heather is the new Parisian-inspired, natural wine focused Restaurant and Bar from the team across the street at Luna Wine Store. Located in the heart of Byron Bay on Jonson St, Bar Heather will be dishing out a snack-heavy, wine-friendly menu that chef Ollie Wong-Hee (previously Ester, Sixpenny and Franklin) has drawn inspiration from his past restaurant experience with a strong focus on local produce sourced in tight coordination from the best organic suppliers the Northern Rivers has to offer.
Owners James Audas and Tom Sheer, sommeliers-turned-wine importers (ex Noma, Oscillate Wildly and LP’s Quality Meats), who currently under Lo-Fi Wines spearhead the recent influx of natural wines imported to Australia with some of the worlds most renowned winemakers, plan to channel the most treasured parts of their cellar into the Bar Heather list. “Over the years we’ve collected some very special bottles and always thought that if we ever opened a drink-in venue this is where they would go” says owner Tom Sheer. “We only plan to do this once, so we figured we better do it right”, he continues, who alongside sommelier Ollie Smith (previously 10 William St) will search out rare and characterful wines from around the world and rotate the wine list as frequently as Wong-Hee’s food menu, which plans to be on the fresh and lively side of things.
The team on the floor (including Restaurant Manager Amalia Oxley, previously of Agrarian Kitchen) is passionate, knowledgeable and some of the country’s best in hospitality, something Audas and Sheer wanted to ensure while making natural wine more accessible and exciting.
From a long list of wine-friendly snacks, small dishes and larger shared plates, expect dishes such as Potato Chip, comté, shiitake; or Duck Confit, betel leaf, kohlrabi; Grilled king green prawns, sauce made from its shells, curry leaf; with back vintages from producers such as Matassa, Alessandro Viola and Gut Oggau. Prices will start with snacks from $8, mains from $32 and desserts from $16; and the revolving wine list will features wines by the glass from $14, and bottles from $50.
Open Wednesday to Sunday 5pm-late, the 60-seat restaurant, also has 8 undercover seats available outside. Reservations are advised but a portion of the restaurant will be kept for walk-ins.
The ambience will be dark, loud and fun, with plenty of aged green leather banquettes, French wooden flooring, hanging art, and a mortadella-coloured marble horseshoe bar top to keep the good vibes going. Expect afro beats, funk and late-disco to beam out of the restaurant speakers, making it the perfect spot to begin, end or maybe stay the night. And with Luna Wine Store just across the road, diners can be directed to purchase a memorable bottle from the restaurant’s sister venue.
Bar Heather, Byron Bay
G9 Jonson Lane, 139 Jonson St, Byron Bay 2481
Disabled Access / Air Conditioned
www.barheather.com / info@barheather.com / @heather.bar
LO-FI WINES AND LUNA WINE STORE TEAMS TO OPEN THEIR FIRST NATURAL WINE BAR IN BYRON BAY
