Noir wine bar, Paddington, saved from collapse by Press’d Wine Co owner

A suburban wine bar has been rescued from the edge of collapse by an experienced foodie ready to breathe new life into the venue. See his big plans for the future.

Noir Paddington is a small lively venue at Paddington owned by Chris Higgins. Picture David Clark

Paddington’s favourite cozy wine bar has been saved from closure by a surprise new owner, with big plans to reinvigorate the venue’s offerings.

Chris Higgins, the man behind Press’d Wine Co in Milton, was enjoying a long awaited holiday poolside at the Calile Hotel in Fortitude Valley when he received an offer to purchase the iconic Noir Paddington, in the hopes of saving it from the brink of financial collapse.

Mr Higgins said purchasing the venue was a “no-brainer”, and while he had originally intended to rebrand as Press’d Wine Co Paddington, he soon experienced the community and the brand that Noir had grown for itself and knew he needed to retain it.

Noir has been saved. Picture David Clark

“When I got here and started seeing the people and the brand, what was already here, it already had its own identity, and I wouldn’t be doing it justice if I killed that,” Mr Higgins said.

After only a day of closure, and some significant renovations and sprucing, Noir has been operating under Mr Higgins’ hand for the last several weeks and has been met with great support from the community.

The journey has not been without its challenges, with the food menu still under construction due to some personal issues facing the kitchen team, but Mr Higgins said he preferred to give his staff whatever they need to enable them to deliver their best.

Mr Higgins is excited by the challenge. Picture David Clark

“If I am able to give my staff a break, that they needed, then in the long term its like, ‘I’ve got your back mate and I can’t wait to have you back,” he said.

“I am putting a team together that can do everything, so everyone trained to work on the floor, in the bar, or in the kitchen, there’s a lot of effort going into that.”

Mr Higgins hopes the menu will be ready to go in the coming week, but a glimpse at his plans show it will be a perfect pairing of internationally inspired charcuterie and “boujee” toasties, similar to the offerings at Press’d.

The courtyard outside Noir. Picture: David Clark

“The idea is to make sure all the meats and cheeses that are in the toasties, are able to move into the platters and vice versa.

“It is interactive, so you could be sitting here having a glass of wine and able to have a taste of different things being prepared right here at the bar.”

Up behind the mezzanine level of the venue is a beautiful function space Mr Higgins said he hopes to have up and running soon.

Currently bordered by wall to wall windows that look out into a neighbouring building and construction site, Mr Higgins said he would be installing a cityscape screen to give a more luxe feel.

Inside Noir in Paddington. Picture: David Clark

At his Milton venue, Mr Higgins has Friday night music provided by a roving DJ who meanders the space and he hopes to bring the same experience to Noir, perhaps for Sunday Sundowners.

“I am thinking maybe champagne and oysters, music, something like that,” he said.

The Given Terrace block that Noir sits on is in the throes of extensive development, with plans for a five-star hotel and apartment building, but Higgins’ said Noir will remain, in partnership with the landlords, who are firmly “on-side”, even regularly coming in to enjoy the space.

Noir is open Tuesday to Thursday evenings from 4pm and from midday on Friday, Saturday, Sundays.