Love a wine bar, seasonal produce, delicious food and live entertainment? If you do, you need to add a visit to Wakefield’s Bar & Wine Room to your wine time schedule. Opening on Saturday 26 June, Wakefield’s Bar & Wine Room is the latest expansion to Ainslie institution, Edgar’s.
The charming new wine bar promises to provide an intimate, warm-lit space for the Ainslie neighbourhood area, with a focus on Australian wines, local produce and suppliers, and live entertainment from across Canberra.
Owner Frank Condi has more than 25 years experience in the industry and he says that Wakefield is the final addition to the Edgar’s empire.
“The opening marks the final piece of looking at Edgar’s as one big home, with a room for every mood and occasion. Our ultimate goal is to create personalised experiences for locals and travellers and be surrounded by good food and wine as they create lasting memories together,” Condi said.
Wakefield’s is the latest addition to Edgar’s Inn, a laidback gastro-pub in the heart of the leafy suburb of Ainslie. It is also home to Mama Dough, firing up freshly-made pizza in a cosy strip next door to the pub, The Inn, a refined extension of the laid-back Edgar’s vibe, serving paddock-to-plate shared style dining inspired by seasonal fresh produce and herbs grown in their soon-to-be new vegetable garden opposite Edgar’s.
Visit Wakefield’s and you’ll have over 100 Australian wines to choose from including local Canberra wine from Mada, Helm and Eden Road. If wine isn’t your thing there will be a range of Aussie craft beer and bespoke cocktail on the drinks menu. They’ve created a smoked take on a ‘Charlie Chaplin’ with mezcal to compliment the apricot brandy, sloe gin and lime and a delicious perfect caramel espresso martini using Canberra’s own Underground spirits caramel vodka – our favourite!
Head chef Steven Jacomos (ex- Fitzroy Town Hall Hotel Melbourne, Saint Crispin/Lupo and Qualia Resort), has created a concise menu to showcase Australia’s best seasonal produce. Think chargrilled lamb riblets, crumpets with smoked trout and bottarga and hand rolled pasta.
Designed by local design firm Capezio Copeland, the interior features an industrial look with a vintage feel, creating a chic and entertaining space with character.
Natural surfaces, warm timbers and accents of burgundy and jade provide contrast to the raw and industrial building interior. You’ll find a large walk-in wine room with a variety of areas to eat, drink and socialise with the venue seating 50 guests, along with a private dining room for 20 guests.
The venue is hoping to be the centre stage for local talent from jazz, blues and soul, to burlesque during the week.
Wakefield’s Bar & Wine Room will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 5:30pm until late.
DETAILS
What: Wakefield’s Bar & Wine Room
Where: 1 Edgar Street, Ainslie
When: Opening Saturday 26 June with trading hours from 5:30pm from Wednesday to Saturday.
Website: https://www.edgarsinn.com.au/wakefields
Photos by Megann Evans.
Amelia Bidgood
Amelia is the Founder and Editor of Eat Canberra and the Founder and Managing Director of Eat Canberra Food Tours. She's a qualified journalist, presenter, freelance writer and also runs a boutique communications agency working with small business owners on all things social media, content creation and marketing. She's taught cheesemaking classes, judged hospitality and tourism awards, completed the WSET Level 1 Award In Wines, loves to cook and has travelled to 23 countries. She's also passionate about mental health and has recently started studying to become a Counsellor.