The people behind Byron’s natural wine movement, including Lo-Fi Wines and Luna Wine Store, are about to open the doors to their wine bar this October.
Bar Heather is the new Parisian-inspired, natural wine-focused Restaurant and Bar located in the heart of Byron Bay’s Jonson St; they will be dishing out a snack-heavy, wine-friendly menu curated by chef Ollie Wong-Hee ( previously Ester, Sixpenny and Franklin) who is drawing inspiration from his past experiences and with a strong focus on local organic produce, sourced from the best suppliers the Northern Rivers has to offer.
Owners James Audas and Tom Sheer, sommeliers-turned-wine importers, are responsible for the recent influx of natural wines into the region, working with some of the world’s most renowned winemakers, and they plan to channel the most treasured parts of their collection into Bar Heather’s wine list.
“Over the years, we’ve collected some exceptional bottles and always thought that if we opened a drink-in venue, this is where they would go” We only plan to do this once, so we figured we better do it right”, says owner Tom Sheer. “
So alongside sommelier Ollie Smith, they plan to search out rare and characterful wines from around the world and rotate the wine list as frequently as Wong-Hee’s food menu allows.
Serving 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, a 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 feature wines by the glass from $14 and bottles from $50.
Bar Heather will be open Wednesday to Sunday from five pm until late, with space for sixty people seated and even eight undercover seats outside; sure to be a hot spot, so reservations are advised.
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
Opening Early October
