Bar Kisa Glebe — a romantic Eastern European-inspired bar in a butter-yellow heritage corner
On a sunlit corner of St Johns Road, a heritage-listed Glebe terrace has been painted butter yellow and turned into one of the inner west's most charming new bars. Bar Kisa is the first venue from couple Sophia Richardson and Wez Smeda-Healy, who met working at a Melbourne cafe and spent years in Sydney's bars and wine bars before finding a spot of their own. The name is a Russian term of endearment meaning "kitty", a nod to Sophia's Russian and Polish heritage, which runs through everything from the drinks list to the warm, no-fuss welcome.
Wez's bar CV takes in Bar Planet, Deadwax, The Waratah and Melbourne's Borsch, Vodka & Tears, and it shows in a short, playful cocktail list built around vodka, cherries and Eastern European flavours. The early crowd favourite is a shandy reworked with vodka, Czech herbal liqueur Becherovka, pilsner and lemon, while a fizzy Zubrówka number with green apple and honey drinks like apple crumble in a glass. The 38-strong wine list, put together with sommelier Debra Navaratnam, leans into Georgia, the Czech Republic and Slovenia, with 11 by the glass. Food keeps things snacky, with focaccia and whipped anchovy butter, fat gordal olives and a whipped butterbean dip lifted with mustard, caraway and dill oil.
The room is a happy jumble of second-hand furniture under glowing pendant lights, with stained-glass windows, a retired fireplace and a hand-painted tiled backbar by artist Kate Howlett, covered in flowers, cherubs, moons and stars. There are no reservations, so just wander in, pull up a stool at the bar or lean on the window sill, and let the evening unfold.
Quick Bites
EAT: Focaccia with whipped anchovy butter, whipped butterbean dip with mustard, caraway and dill oil
DRINK: Becherovka shandy (vodka, Becherovka, pilsner, lemon), Georgian wine by the glass
PLAY: Walk in for an unhurried glass at the bar, with intimate events and book clubs planned
VIBE CHECK: Butter-yellow heritage corner bar with painted cherub tiles, second-hand furniture and a moody, romantic glow after dark
