Andrew McConnell Is Opening a New Fitzroy Wine Bar

Andrew McConnell is a busy, busy man who apparently wants to feed the entirety of Melbourne city. At the same time as bringing fancy meats and cheeses to the good people of Smith Street with his new speciality deli Meatsmith, he’s also been orchestrating a new wine bar on Gertrude Street. All hail McConnell, bringer of glorious meats, wine and cheeses to Fitzroy.

The wine bar, named Marion, is slated to open to the public on October 23, right next door to its accomplished culinary big brother Cutler & Co. The two have been designed to work in tandem, with Marion as the perfect destination for post-dinner kick-ons or pre-dinner aperitifs. If you just want to skip dinner and guzzle wine, Marion is as a self-contained dinner venue in its own right. Marion is a little less formal than Cutler & Co. however the two establishments share a wine cellar and sommelier, Liam O’Brien, for maximum synergy points and wine expertise rolled into one.

We’re expecting amazing things from this place, as it’s the product of years and years of experimenting and expertise. Most of the team have been working with McConnell in his various establishments for decades so know they know a thing or two about hospitality — and of course, wine. And McConnell himself is an old hand in the restaurant game, with the likes of Cumulus Inc., Supernormal and Moon Under Water all under his belt. It goes without saying, the bar is set pretty high. Bring it on.

Marion opens 23 October at 51-53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy.