Bar Francine wine bar in Brisvegas 

Bar Francine – West End’s Cool Aunt of Wine Bars

Address: 29A Vulture Street, West End QLD 4101

Phone: 0477 121 744

Email: hey@barfrancine.com

Website: https://www.barfrancine.com

If Bar Francine were a person, she’d be that effortlessly cool aunt who rolls her own cigarettes, gives you cheeky life advice, and always shows up with a bottle of wine that costs more than your weekly grocery bill. She’s rustic, a little nostalgic, a whole lot warm—and she just gets you.

Tucked into the beating heart of West End like a secret whispered between friends, Bar Francine is a breath of cozy charm in a world of cookie-cutter cocktail bars and generic wine lists. And while the name might evoke images of a Parisian alleyway, don’t be fooled—this bar is proudly, cheekily, and gloriously Australian.

Wine, Glorious Wine (And None of It From Dan Murphy’s)

Bar Francine’s wine list reads like a love letter to Aussie small-batch winemakers. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill supermarket drops. Oh no. Every bottle is a little rebellious, a little rare, and completely ready to impress your date (or your palate).

Think cloudy, skin-contact whites from the Adelaide Hills. Pet-Nats from Tasmania that fizz with personality. Shiraz that doesn’t shout but whispers sweet nothings. Orange wines that taste like autumn in a glass. If you’re not familiar with names like Jauma, Brave New Wine, or Latta Vino—you will be.

The staff here don’t just pour wine; they introduce it like a proud parent at graduation. And if you don’t know your Malbec from your Marsanne, don’t worry—these guys are fluent in Wine for Beginners and will guide you with zero judgement and a whole lot of charm.

Cocktails That Will Make You Misty-Eyed with Nostalgia

While the wine might be the star, the cocktail list is where Bar Francine gets playful. It’s a tribute to your misspent youth—but better dressed and with more expensive ingredients.

The “Frothy Pine Lime Splice” is basically your childhood in a coupe glass. The “Grown-Up Milo Martini”? A late-night cuddle from your teenage years. And don’t skip the “Cordial Negroni”—a tart, herbaceous wink to that Ribena bottle in the back of Mum’s fridge, now all grown up and ready to party.

Expect bitters, shrubs, and seasonal infusions that make you go, “Wait—what’s in this?” before ordering another round just to check.

Tapas, but Make It Aussie-ish and Totally Delicious

Now let’s talk food. Because nothing makes wine (or your dancing-on-an-empty-stomach moves) more dangerous than forgetting to eat.

Bar Francine doesn’t do full meals—but what they do is small plates that punch well above their weight class.

Here are a few standouts from our visit:

Anchovy Soldiers – Salty, buttery perfection. Think toast soldiers for grown-ups who’ve seen some things. Best paired with a sharp white and a sense of adventure.

Pickled Mussels on Toast – A zingy, textural delight that’s the love child of coastal holidays and inner-city cool. So fresh, they practically flirt with you.

Stracciatella with Burnt Honey and Thyme – This one should come with a warning label. Creamy, dreamy, and dangerously addictive. You will want to lick the plate. No judgement.

Chicken Liver Parfait with Onion Jam – Decadent, rich, and oddly comforting—like hugging a very fancy meat pillow. Pairs beautifully with a chilled red or your fifth glass of courage.

The menu is designed for sharing, but no one will judge you if you “accidentally” forget to pass the last croquette.

Vibes: Rustic Romance with a Dash of Indie Film Cool

The space at Bar Francine is everything you want from a wine bar without the pretension. Exposed brick, moody lighting, shelves lined with records and half-read books. It feels like the lounge room of your effortlessly stylish mate who always has a spare bottle of Pinot in the fridge.

It’s intimate without being cramped, romantic without trying too hard, and cool without needing to prove anything. You’ll find first dates making eyes over candlelight, best mates debriefing over Pet-Nat, and lone drinkers curled up with a glass and a paperback.

The playlist? Think Cat Power meets The Avalanches, with a dash of dusty soul and Sunday morning sadness. It’s curated, it’s chill, and it makes the wine taste better. Science.

Why BrisVegas Loves It

Bar Francine is a unicorn in a city full of try-hard wine bars. It’s local, it’s thoughtful, and it never takes itself too seriously. Every glass poured feels like it was chosen for you. Every dish, a tiny celebration of flavour. And every visit? Just a little bit magic.

It’s the kind of place you take your cool friend from Melbourne to prove that yes, Brisbane does have culture. And good wine. And decent lighting.

So go on—slip into something comfortable, call your favourite drinking buddy, and let Bar Francine pour you a glass of Australia’s best-kept wine secrets.

Cheers, BrisVegas. You’ve done it again.