Meet Lola's: Magill Road's new(ish) wine bar is “grungy with a bit of disco”

Spring is a time of new beginnings, and if you walk past Norwood Green this weekend you'll notice that East End Cellars Norwood has undergone a lightning-quick transformation.

After two years in business, “We came to the conclusion that there's only one East End Cellars,” says Group Operations Manager Olivia Gorman.

“And most people want to get that experience at the Vardon Avenue mothership.”

So after closing for only two days this week, the venue has emerged as Lola's Wine Bar.

“It was a quick turnaround,” Olivia says, “but we work very efficiently here.”

Stage one of the transformation includes a rebrand and completely reimagined interiors, with designer Adrian Condina given a brief to use plenty of colour.

Gone are the classic lines of East End Cellars, replaced by a venue with a personality to match the name.

“We wanted a grungy wine bar with lots of texture and a bit of disco,” says Olivia.

“Sometimes we'll have vinyl DJs on Friday nights to provide a bit of mood, but there won't be any all-night ragers.

“And Adrian has definitely taken some inspiration from the fact we are a wine bar in the colours that he's used.”

The moodier palette ranges from rich burgundy to subtle rosé, and wines of every persuasion will remain at the heart of the venue.

Several dozen options are available by the glass, including Krug – Lola's will still be the premium Champagne house's South Australian embassy.

Takeaway bottles will still be available for purchase, but the large display fridges have been replaced by a printed wine list featuring a mix of local drops and benchmark wines from around the world (plus a killer cocktail list).

That will drive more focus to the kitchen, where chef Aarron Roberts (ex-Stem) is overseeing a menu with a greater emphasis on share plates – think tender beef tartare with potato crisps, steamed mussels with sobrasada and crispy pork Milanese with caper butter and remoulade.

We want the food to be approachable, we want it to be clean, and we want it to have great flavours,” says Olivia. “But outside of that he's had full creative freedom.

With the interior split between bar seating and marble low tables, Lola's will still be a place for locals to enjoy a glass of wine, and the team has made sure that Norwood Green residents stay up to date with all the changes. 

“Lola's combines the best bits of a wine bar, cocktail bar and bistro and we really want it to be the neighbourhood go-to for everyone in the area,” says Olivia. 

“I want them to come in and feel at home when they sit down, and to get to know the staff because they're a great bunch of people.”

Visit today!

Norwood Green - 88 Magill Road
W: https://lolaswinebar.com.au/
I: @lolasnorwood_