Old skin returns to Bar Barossa wine bar

Bar Barossa in Brisbane's CBD has been sold to the man who set it up four years ago. Darren Davis was a part owner of the bar but was bought out two years ago. Now he's bought it back – lock, stock and wine barrel – and says he'll set about restoring its previous reputation.

"It's veered a little off course from the original idea during the last couple of years, so my intention is to get the focus back to it being a wine bar with food, rather than a restaurant," Davis says.

"I'm going to freshen it up a bit and focus on showcasing the wines of the Barossa; in particular those little wineries whose wine just isn't available in bars or shops."

A cellar cull is on the cards, he says, in particular the "unsellable" big ticket, large format bottles.

"It was never meant to be a Penfolds showcase bar and it's about making it more relevant to where we are now and what people want."

Staff are all going too, Davis says. A new casual share plate menu will showcase the produce of the Barossa, with an added Spanish influence. He's "talking to a few chefs" but hasn't signed anyone yet.

"Once we have the concept right, I'm looking at taking it to Sydney and Melbourne, hopefully within the next six months – that was always my intention."

Bar Barossa will close next Friday, with Davis saying he hopes to reopen in late January/early February.