Brico

Brico is a neighbourhood wine bar on a historic Melbourne hospo site. But it was really born in London. Co-owners Josh Begbie (ex-Bar Liberty) and Phil Bracey met – as many Aussies do – in the British capital. It was 2015 (they think) and the pair became fast friends. Almost a decade later, the duo opened Brico with their respective partners, Robyn Nethercote and Tegan Ella Hendel.

Bracey’s experience establishing London hotspots P Franco, a wine bar, and restaurant Bright has certainly helped. The food offering includes classic wine bar snacks such as Sydney rock oysters with a white pepper mignonette, or fresh baguette from Brunswick’s Iris with cultured butter. More substantial plates include panisse (French chickpea fritters); cured sardines with cucumber and green chilli; pippies with butter beans, jamon and sherry; and grilled ox tongue with potatoes and horseradish. To finish there are cheeses and an olive oil cake.

While there are a few classic cocktails and digestifs, the drinks focus at Brico is on wine. The list focuses on wines from producers with sustainable farming and winemaking practices, but not necessarily ones that most people would necessarily think of when using the term “natural wine”. The Brico list focuses on wines with freshness and vibrancy.

The 30-seat wine bar is in a corner building that was formerly home to Little Andorra, and in the ’80s and ’90s housed legendary chef Tansy Good’s restaurant Tansy’s.