Little Betty’s Kiama: Paul and Christina Paterno open specialty cocktail bar

Fresh local produce, specialty cocktails and a curated wine is the secret of a brother-and-sister duo keen to make one of the coast’s trendiest new bars a reality.

After almost a decade of planning, a brother-sister duo have opened their very own specialty cocktail bar on the south coast, inspired by family travels and working in renowned eateries across the globe.

Christina and Paul Paterno recently opened Little Betty’s in Kiama, a small bar showcasing local produce, specialty cocktails and a curated wine list featuring small Australian producers and progressive winemakers.

Brother and sister Paul and Christina Paterno opened Little Betty's in Kiama earlier this month. Picture: Jake Weisz

Little Betty’s was born out of a lifetime in the hospitality business, and a drunken night in Paris, according to Christina.

“Paul and I grew up in hospitality, our parents have owned and operated a ‘mum and pop’ Italian eatery for 30 odd years,” she said.

“Being a tight-knit family whose lives were balled and chained to a restaurant, we simply shut it down for three weeks every year, and it was travelling that cemented Paul’s and my own passion for good booze and good food.”

One night in Paris around five years ago, the brother-sister duo started a “mood board” for their very own bar, discussing names, ideas, drinks and decor.

Little Betty’s kitchen is run by chef Kyle Emda. Picture: Jake Weisz

The bar has a strong focus on local, small winemakers and specialty cocktails. Picture: Jake Weisz

Christina continued working in the US however, at some of the country’s most well-known eateries, including Catch LA, Dead Rabbit NYC and most recently, Chateau Marmont.

But after COVID-19 brought Christina home to Kiama after 10 years abroad, she and Paul decided it was time to make their small dream a reality despite the challenges a global pandemic brings.

“Our aim was simultaneously simple – to open the kind of venue we ourselves would want to hang out in,” Christina said.

“Our bar/baby is a local neighbourhood cornerstone, a no-booking, everyone is welcome establishment.”

Located on Collins Street in Kiama, Little Betty’s kitchen is run by chef Kyle Emda, formerly of Auckland’s Paris Butter.

Little Betty’s is located on Collins Street in Kiama. Picture: Jake Weisz

The cocktail list features the old classics plus several specialty drinks curated by the Little Betty’s team, while the food menu is perfect for snacking, with Cacio e Pepe and a 250g wagyu if you’re feeling something larger.

The bar officially opened last month, after a year of planning and building, with the response exceeding the siblings’ expectations.

“We opened earlier this month and the response has been absolutely overwhelming,” Paul said.

“I do think Kiama was crying out for something like this, and with how the pandemic played out, regional travel has exploded, giving us a chance to really thrive.”

Paul said that while plenty of locals have visited the bar, day trippers have also made up a large part of the business.

And while running a business with your sibling sounds like a nightmare for some, Paul said it had been a dream working with his sister.

“We are best mates,” he said. “We know each other back to front so it just works.”