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Sister Bella

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Hidden down dark and dingy back alleys, like most of Melbourne's best bars, the younger sibling of the sadly departed St Jerome's is alive and kicking.

Editorial


When the evil might of the Myer Empire reclaimed a certain city centre laneway, apparently to extend a loading bay area, enforcing the closure of Melbourne Institution, St Jerome's, the outcry was almost as large and vocal as the hubbub surrounding the Tote. Although minus the enormous Bourke Street demo.

While the Brazilian street party vibe of out back at Jerome's will be dearly missed, younger sibling Sister Bella is still alive and kicking, and serving "alternative" punters who want cheap beer and grub, and aren't afraid to wander down dodgy bin alleys to get it. Expect the same ramshackle style with rusty metal, exposed and creaking floorboards and copious, dubious objet d'art. Think op shop crossed with one of those high-end furniture stores that charges a fortune for the same stuff the Salvos sells for $10

Always at risk of disappearing up its own bum of coolness, somehow it stays just the right side of non-wanky. It's a gorgeous little hideaway from the suited and booted hordes of the city centre. The weekends can be a little overcrowded for such a supposedly hidden spot, but weeknights were always best at Jerome's, and so too here.

Stephen Russell, March 2010

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9 User reviews (add yours)

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rachel
March 12, 2008


Cute little bar at the bottom of an alley, through a non-descript door and up a flight of un-fancy wooden stairs. Low-key inside - you can actually hold a conversation in here without being drowned out by doof. Nice.

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Jacquie
May 30, 2008


Bohemian, pretty but unfussy, great mulled wine, good value

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Scotty James
April 22, 2009


This bar is a great double level bar that offeres a good range of local and imported beers at very reasonable prices. With a gourmet kitchen downstairs, its the perfect place for a gool old fashioned Melbourne alleyway snack and longneck. Shame u can't take drinks outside when you smoke though :S

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telli
January 06, 2010


very rad bar great atmosphere love how its down a dingy garbage alleyway but def recommend it its SO good and there was no dickheads there just cool chilled people

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disappointed
June 14, 2010


Cute place to go during the day. Unfortunatly the atmosphere on a saturday night is that of any other cliche scene bar. Unless your is face bejewelled, arms sleeved and head sporting a tea cosy beanie. You are made to feel very unwelcome.

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Uday
November 11, 2010


I love this place... i heartly attached wid this place nd staff members... they are so loving...

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appalled
February 04, 2011


Such a let down. Firstly the bar staff spent 5 minutes without serving anyone because they were busy having an argument, then one bartender decided to shut down the venue because one customer didn't say 'please'. No one likes it when people don't use manners but this was highly excessive and unreasonable. Maybe it was a bad night but there is no excuse for such unprofessionalism. I'm sure it's a great bar in any other circumstance...

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terrible..
February 04, 2011


service was terrible and the former comment was absolutely correct. the girl who apparently didn't say please was actually very polite and reasonable. i will never go here again.

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Chad
April 30, 2011


This bar is a lot of fun. Beers at the right price, Beautiful people, interesting staff.. blows that theirs not a licensed smoking area though.. Liquor licensing strikes again!

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