Neapoli Wine Bar, part of Con Christopoulos's wide stable of European-inspired venues in Melbourne, has closed. The announcement came today via Instagram and follows a patchy three years of trade for the Russell Place venue, which never fully reopened after the first COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.

"After a long hiatus, Neapoli Wine Bar is, unfortunately, closing permanently. It is with heavy hearts that we have made this decision as we loved this space just as much as all of you!" reads the post.

Neapoli, named after the Greek town where Christopoulos's father was born, opened in 2012 in partnership with Josh Brisbane. It came with all the Christopoulos hallmarks: all-day service, a flexible menu roaming from drinks to dinner, and a handsome look that somehow arrived with elusive patina.

Bar stools and a small terrace downstairs made way for tables and hidden nooks in a mezzanine. In short, it oozed levels of charm that many venues can only dream of.

But, like Christopoulos's other CBD assets French Saloon and Degraves Espresso, Neapoli was no match for a global pandemic.

Sister venues Kirk's Wine Bar, City Wine Shop, Melbourne Supper Club, Siglo and Angel Music Bar remain open.