Ballet Wine Bar opens in Glenelg with owner Mike Papatolis looking to capitalise on Jetty Rd resurgence

Adelaide’s newest wine bar has opened in the heart of Glenelg, offering an “affordable, classy” experience ahead of a controversial $40m revamp.

Ballet Wine Bar owner Mike Papatolis inside his new Glenelg venue. Picture: Matt Loxton

A new “established and classy” wine bar on Jetty Rd has opened its doors to the public in an effort to bring Glenelg back to its buzzing “heyday”.

Offering a seasonal food menu to compliment their local and international wines, Ballet Wine Bar will aim to deliver an affordable experience to its targeted middle-age demographic – purposefully pricing itself cheaper than other nearby venues to ease cost-of-living pressures.

Owner Mike Papatolis said he was worried Glenelg had begun to lose its spark – concerned that tourists and locals had “nowhere else to go”.

“On the second night or third night, they might venture out on the tram and go to the city and then Glenelg’s lost them,” Mr Papatolis, 30, said.

“We thought bringing something a bit more established and classy down the bay – somewhere you can feel comfortable – would be better for the area.

“We want to be a destination where it’s a wine bar that serves food – we never want to become a restaurant with a good wine list. Wine is still the focus, but if you’re hungry and want some food, it should be on the table pretty quick.”

Mike Papatolis says he aims for Ballet Wine Bar to be a great place to get food as well as wine. Picture: Matt Loxton

It comes after Holdfast Bay Mayor Amanda Wilson unveiled a $40m revamp of the 1km stretch of Jetty Rd to turn it into a “modern, five-star, safe and world-class destination”.

However, some locals criticised the council’s decision to borrow $30m to fund the redevelopment and raise rates, including a 2.3 levy over three years – about $40 a year on average for homeowners.

Artist impressions of Jetty Road at Glenelg. Picture: Supplied

Mr Papatolis, though, said the upgrade was much-needed for the Glenelg area.

“Twenty years ago the street was buzzing and it was great, and then slowly it’s just become a bit grimier and a bit dirtier,” he said.

“I think the redevelopment is good – it’s going to brighten the street up, fix the footpath, fix the road and just make people feel more comfortable going out again along here.

“We want to capture the demographic of those who lived and grew up in Glenelg so they can come back out and feel a part of it. If we can get that quality dining, quality fit-out and comfortable atmosphere, along with redevelopment, it’s going to generate a lot of business.”

Originally published as Ballet Wine Bar opens in Glenelg with owner Mike Papatolis looking to capitalise on Jetty Rd resurgence