Gracie’s Wine Room

THE VERDICT

From laying bricks and mortar to serving the first pours, watching Gracie’s Wine Room come to fruition on TikTok was like binging episodes of The Block. What started as founder Kelsie Gaffey giving us an inside look into her DIY renovation journey, turned into the most anticipated bar opening in the southside as she racked up a cult following online.

The 25-year-old who traded her 9-to-5 marketing gig to realise her dream wine bar, documented the entire process from taste-testing wines to vulnerably sharing her challenges. Kelsie’s mates weren’t just cheering on the sideline—they were put to use, laying bricks, digging through records, and filling the wine shelves. In exchange, they undoubtedly earned themselves VIP treatment at Gracie’s, Kelsie said. 

When doors swung open Gracie’s had patrons flocking to Toorak Road from all corners of Melbourne, quickly snagging all 140 seats. From 4 pm, the front bar, lush courtyard, and group tables flood with knock off-goers. 

Orange wines are a crowd favourite—ours included—while Kelsie’s go-to is Fin’s chilled red. There’s also a limoncello spritz in the mix, alongside other signature cocktails. On the food front, the share-style menu is tight but top-tier—think golden lobster rolls, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters, and oven-fresh focaccia made for dunking into hot honey-stracciatella.

The wine room is an ode to her late grandmother, Gracie, and all the women in her family who share the name. The venue is dotted with sweet little nods to her grandmother—cartoon flowers painted on the walls, vases with her favourite blooms, and a framed photo of Gracie that hangs proudly near the bar.

Words and Images: Claudia Goundar

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