Bar Holiday in Carlton is a sunny escape to Europe

There's a new tenant in the sunlit spot that once housed Carlton pizza restaurant Kaprica, and it's promising to become a regular haunt along the lines of Gerald's Bar or LongPlay.

Bar Holiday took up residence in the Lincoln Square warehouse in June, after Kaprica's 2020 move to nearby Grattan Street, and traded for three weeks before Melbourne's last two lockdowns.

Owner Matthew Hurst is putting the sawtooth ceilings, exposed brick walls and wooden accents to good use, shooting for a classic neighbourhood bar modelled on those found in Paris, Amsterdam or Madrid.

"It's hard to put your finger on what makes a venue a place you want to come back to again and again," he says. "But I hope that Bar Holiday becomes one of those places."

Hurst is a copywriter by trade, but he's bringing five years of living in Europe and many years of part-time bar work to the equation, along with a great record collection, which sits behind the bar.

Kangaroo saucisson and white anchovies on toast are ideal drinking fodder, but spaghetti puttanesca, crumbed sardines with caponata and asparagus with stracciatella and peas are on offer for locals ducking in for a quick dinner.

From Friday to Sunday, breakfast and lunch complete the all-day package, with simple items like poached fruit with muesli, croissants, ham and brie baguettes and a couple of salads.

Behind the American oak bar (almost the only cosmetic change to the Kaprica space) are Victorian spirits such as Lantana Gin and Starward Whisky, staple Italian amaros and a tidy line-up of tequila, mezcal and vermouth. The wine list is short and approachable, while Lyre's, Heaps Normal and Monceau's low-ABV pet-nats offer 0% alternatives.

Open Wed-Thurs 4pm-11pm, Fri-Sun 10am-11pm

19 Lincoln Square South, Carlton, 0423 843 850, barholiday.com.au