Da Bepi

THE VERDICT

Snack like a Venetian, play cards like a nonno and sip negronis to Italo Disco bangers. Da Bepi brings the lifestyle of Veneto to Sydney Road with a vibe that mixes vinyl wine bar and retro social club. Photos of family and the ancestral Italian hometown line the wood-panelled walls, with football memorabilia and vintage vinyl above the hand-built bar. A daily selection of chicchetti (Venetian-style snacks) sit at a budget-friendly $5–$10, including gluten-free and vego bites. In gondolier tradition, these quick eats pair with a "shadow of wine". Here, you can opt for spritzes, cocktails, beer, local and Italian vino or grappa as you desire.

Co-owners, brothers and locals Matthew and Anthony Lucato named the bar for their Nonno Bepi. Bar Da Bepi is also a venue in their family’s hometown of San Marco di Resana, which generously gifted their own signature sandwich recipe to the Brunswick spot: mozzarella in carozza, a battered and fried toastie of ham (or anchovy) and oozy cheese.

Focaccia, formaggio and salumi, the trinity of drinking snacks, are always on the menu, alongside a suite of seasonally changing small dishes. For mains, it’s homestyle pasta, where gluten free, vegetarian, vegan and Halal diners can all eat their fill. The pastas are also subject to seasonal switch-ups, except for the rigatoni carbonara (too popular) and lasagna (Nonna Maria’s recipe—it stays). And of course, tiramisu.

Thursdays and Sundays see a rotation of vinyl DJs take to the decks, curated by Anthony (PBS presenter and DJ himself). Wednesdays are for social Scopa and Briscola, traditional Italian card games, where players can enjoy $15 negronis. Don’t know how to play? They’ve got instructions. Don’t want to play? Kick back with an $8 happy hour wine and enjoy your chicchetti.

Weekday Happy Hour, 3pm–6pm:
$8 tap wine
$8 Bepi Birra
$10 Moretti
$10 house spirits

Words: Kosa Monteith
Imagery: Supplied