Coming Soon: Blackhearts and Sparrows Wants You To Stay for a Glass or Two at Its New Store

Since its founding in 2006, Blackhearts and Sparrows has been one of the best places in Melbourne to pick up a bottle of wine, learn about new producers and get nerdy with the vino experts on the floor. The wine retailer, from siblings Paul and Jessica Ghaie, now has 11 stores in Victoria, and one each in Hobart and Geelong. But none of them offer a space to relax and enjoy a glass or bottle off the shelf inside the store before.

In October, the Ghaies will open a new Blackhearts store in the former Slowbeer space on Smith Street, about a 12-minute walk from the existing 10-year-old Smith Street store and across the road from Tom Sarafian’s new Hot-Listed Zareh.

“Because we’ve already got the shop at the other end of Smith Street, we’ve got to do something to differentiate,” Paul tells Broadsheet. The siblings are taking advantage of the existing liquor licence and setting up the new shop so people can stay for a drink or two and a snack.

“What we do best is retail, so it’s still going to be predominantly a retail space,” says Paul. But it’ll be somewhat inspired by Parisian wine bars: “They do that wine bar, wine store thing really well.”

Paul is excited to keep adding to the public’s wine knowledge and to have more opportunities to showcase wines that customers can try without having to commit to buying a whole bottle. “Being able to open them up and offer a glass will then hopefully translate to people just learning a little bit more about [different] styles and feeling confident when they walk into a wine store or a wine bar or restaurant.” There’ll also be the ability to pick any bottle from the shelf to enjoy at the 10-person communal table.

Snacks will be easy things that the team can prepare behind the bar, such as tinned fish, cheese and charcuterie. But don’t go in expecting a classic Melbourne wine bar. “It’s more of a wine store with the opportunity to hang out and have a quick glass or two and go about your day,” says Paul. “People are going to try to get into Tom’s restaurant, so maybe they can pop across the road for a quick glass first.”

Blackhearts and Sparrows is expected to open at 351 Smith Street, Fitzroy in October.