South African vibes for Old Palm Liquor, Neighbourhood Wine's spin-off bar

After a lengthy delay, Neighbourhood Wine owners Simon Denman and Almay Jordaan are almost ready to open their Brunswick East spin-off, Old Palm Liquor.

Licensed for 140, the bar will open at 133b Lygon Street in mid-August, a site the pair have used as storage for the past four years, but which was previously a design store and workshop. It'll be slightly '70s in vibe, says Denman, with timber veneer panelling and "hints of tiki".

Like at Neighbourhood Wine, the focus at Old Palm Liquor will be on minimal-intervention and biodynamic wines, although there'll be a larger focus on tap beer. The menu will hark back to chef Jordaan's South African roots – think meat and vegetables cooked on a wood charcoal grill – similar to the braai she grew up eating.

"It's meant to be a casual bar, akin to a homely pub environment – that's what we're shooting for," Denman says.

Initially, Denman and Jordaan will spend most their time at Old Palm Liquor, leaving their team at Neighbourhood Wine to manage operations there. But once it's up and running, the pair will divide their time between both venues.

Old Palm Liquor will open Tue-Sun noon-midnight from mid-August at133b Lygon Street, Brunswick East. oldpalmliquor.com.