With Lilac, Clover, Attria and Matheson all within 750 metres of each other, Swan Street, Richmond has no shortage of wine bars.

Newcomer Lenny’s Wine Room, in the former home of Big Dog’s Deli down Lennox Street (for which the venue is named), adds a more casual offering to the mix.

Like many bars, the idea for Lenny’s formed over a drinks among friends. Former AFL player Angus Brayshaw mentioned he wanted to open a wine bar. Mate Kirra Pemberton harboured her own wine-bar dreams and already had a decade of experience in hospitality with her wellness-focused cafe and juice chain Soul Press. Jack Munro, who works in corporate recruitment, and Danielle Frawley, who has a background in marketing, also got on board and the team took over the space last year.

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They freshened the venue up with a green tile backsplash, custom-made wooden benches and tables, and murals commissioned from local artist Luke Tarlinton, who goes by Cool Hand Luke. There’s a 25-person capacity courtyard at the back of the venue and a few seats dotted around the bar at the front.

The beverage offering reflects each owner’s taste. “Angus loves traditional Australian wine like shiraz and chardonnay, Kirra has her finger on the pulse a lot in the natural world, Danielle loves French rose,” Munro tells Broadsheet.

Glasses on the list at opening range from $12 for a La Buvette chilled red to $25 for Pemberton’s favourite chardonnay, produced at Polperro Estate in Red Hill. There are also 130 different wines available by the bottle, which can be enjoyed in-house or bought at a $20 discount to takeaway. On weekdays the team runs changing aperitivo specials like $12 Negronis or $10 spritzes, which it announces on Instagram.

The kitchen was removed when Big Dog’s Deli moved out, but there are a few snacks, including Greek olives from Pappou’s Olives, cheese plates and Ned’s Bake focaccia with hummus. For something more substantial, customers can order in pizza from Homeslice next door at no extra charge for delivery or to eat at Lenny’s.

Lenny’s Wine Room
327 Lennox Street, Richmond
No phone

Hours:
Mon to Thu 4pm–9:30pm
Fri & Sat 1pm–late
Sun 1pm–7pm

lennyswineroom.com