Tucked into the laneway next to Homer, with a little Euro energy
Volta, Cronulla
The brothers behind Homer Rogue Taverna are at it again. Volta, Cronulla’s newest wine bar and ouzeri, opened on Friday 13th November, bringing a little Athenian drinking culture to the laneway next door. Harry and Mario Kapoulas have transformed their former storage space into a colourful, 60-seat hangout made for long afternoons that roll into evenings.
And yes, there’s a Greek Hard Solo on the menu. More on that shortly.
A Little Ouzo, A Little Wine
At its heart, Volta is an Athenian wine bar and ouzeri, with a stainless steel bar stocked with Greek spirits imported from across the country. Ouzo takes centre stage, with most served in 100ml bottles made for sharing over ice and a few salty snacks.
Order a bottle and you’ll also score a plate of cucumber, dried olives and feta on the house. As Harry puts it, “Ouzo is meant to be drunk with salty food, so we’ve leant into that with the menu.”
Wine drinkers have plenty to work through too, with more than 40 bottles on the opening list, around half of them Greek, and a rotating selection of 10 available by the glass each week.
Then there are the highballs. Think Tsiporo with Melon and Lemon, Ouzo with Vodka, Grape and Lychee, and Mastiha with Gin, Fig and Lemon. The opening drinks special? The brothers’ aptly named Greek Hard Solo, mixing sparkling, pine resin-infused retsina with lemon soft drink.
The lists will change weekly, so there’s a good chance your next visit will come with something new to try.
“We want to keep it dynamic and exciting for people, so that there’s something new for them to discover every time they visit,” says Harry.
Come For A Drink, Stay For The Snacks
The food follows the same approach, with a short, changing menu built for ordering a few things and seeing where the afternoon takes you.
The opening line-up includes Lonza and Rockmelon Kefalotyri, Taramas and Chips, Pastitsio Croquettes and Cheese Tiropita. The latter combines three cheeses wrapped in filo pastry, topped with kefalotyri and Aleppo pepper.
There’ll also be a surprise dish of the chef’s choosing each week, giving regulars another reason to pull up a seat.
Athens, Via A Cronulla Laneway
Inside, exposed brick and polished concrete meet mismatched vintage furniture, colourful tables and polished stainless steel. Settle into the crinkled black leather banquette, grab a spot at the communal glass table or take your drinks outside to the laneway.
Design lovers might recognise the black Guido Faleschini armchairs and Charles and Ray Eames’ white bikini chairs, sitting alongside pops of red, yellow, blue and orange. Music comes courtesy of Wharfdale Super Denton speakers, keeping things moving from open until late.
Running the show day-to-day is Shire local Sam Betalli, who first worked for the brothers at 17 and has recently returned from Amsterdam, where he managed a restaurant and trained under a sommelier. “We’ve simply created a fun, community space where people can come in anytime in the afternoon to have a little drink and a snack, whether they’re alone or meeting up with friends,” says Sam.
Founders Harry and Mario Kapoulas
Volta is walk-ins only.
And the idea is simple: drop in for a drink and a snack, come solo or meet your crew, and settle in.
Details
Open Thursday from 5:00pm until late and Friday to Sunday from midday until late.
4/3 Surf Road, Cronulla
