This bar captures the Melbourne Bar concept; no indication of its existence on the street, hidden down the back of an alley, cosy and welcoming.

Location:

Sniders Lane, Melbourne (CBD)

Difficulty Finding:

- Considering there is no visible sign and the only indication that you are there is possibly someone sitting out the front or the noise spilling out, it can be quite tricky. However just find Drewery Lane which runs parallel to Swanston Street next to Melbourne Central between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale, and Sniders Lane is the first lane to the left when coming from Lonsdale Street…See? that wasn’t complected now was it?

Summary:

- Type: bar
- Food: Tapas and snack
- Music: DJ
- Cover: None

Review:

Sista Bella is definitely a bar that completely encompasses what is epitomised by Melbourne Bars. Getting people looking for a good night out to walk down a dark graffiti covered lane and encouraging them to go through a door where there is no real sign or indication that there is anything there, only to find inside a hub of activity. Straight off the bat, Sista Bella is pitched as a younger sibling to St. Jeromes (now closed). This means that it is pitched to a similar crowd, so if you are looking for a lavish fancy night out on the town, or are not a fan of St. Jeromes then this is not the place for you. If however you do enjoy bars with that gritty, simple rustic, feel then this certainly a bar worth looking for.

The rustic feel once inside is complemented perfectly by the simple menu on offer, being pretty much the same as St. Jeromes, its nothing overly complicated or particularly special however there is something for every occasion. On top of all this there is a pretty decent snack menu on offer which is able to satisfy most cravings. Overall the uncomplicated approach that it has to whats on offer is refreshing and in its self offers something a little different.

Although throughout the review it has been compared to St Jeromes a bit, it is worth visiting in its own right as it is a different atmosphere inside as opposed to the whole outside in the back lane feel. Like most places, on a busy night it can get pretty full inside and as this is a particularly long and thin bar design it can be hard to move around, however here it comes across as being cosy rather than an effort.

Final Thoughts:

Sista Bella doesn’t set out to be something flashy, its uncomplicated menu and laid back atmosphere makes it perfect for a night when decisions seem to be a struggle.

Pro’s:
+ Simple and uncomplicated menu
+ Laid back atmosphere
Con’s:
- As is usually the case, its pretty small and can get cosy
- Not really a place for a “special” night out

Score:

Atmosphere: 4
Service: 4
Menu: 4
Cost: 4
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Overall: 4