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A preferred Sturt Street strip is being revived after the opening of two new bars within the Ballarat CBD. Located within the 400 block beside one another, Midtown Cellars opened in September whereas Ellington’s Wine Bar and Rooftop opened in February. The house owners agree the venues may very well be seen as a flow-on impact of the thriving eating scene in Armstrong Street North. Ellington’s Wine Bar and Rooftop house owners jumped on the alternative to buy the constructing, a former well being meals retailer, when it was put available on the market. It took eight months for them to rework it right into a two-story wine bar and restaurant, which incorporates Ballarat’s first rooftop bar and performance space. Ellington’s co-owner Myles Williams mentioned the house owners wished to deliver one thing distinctive to Ballarat, particularly a rooftop and European neighbourhood bar. He mentioned the partnership of 5 house owners began the enterprise as a result of they have been itching to open a brand new bar in Ballarat after efficiently proudly owning and working a bar in Melbourne. “We thought it was too good an opportunity when the building came up for sale,” Mr Williams mentioned. “We open at 2pm Wednesday to Monday. Front and centre is the wine bar and we offer coffee, cocktails and European beers.” Mr Williams, who grew up and lives in Ballarat, mentioned it was the best option to open a bar in Ballarat following the uncertainty of the previous two years. “Another reason why we decided to do something in Ballarat was how the population has grown so much. It’s grown a lot,” he mentioned. “We chatted to people before we opened and found they wanted something new. For functions, people tend to go to Melbourne because there isn’t enough opportunities (here). “I’m fairly optimistic now. With COVID it was up and down and now I am unable to see us going again into lockdowns.” Ellington’s front of house manager Sol Tate said he started the employee recruitment process early to avoid any shortage issues, and 10 people work at the venue. “I already had connections and so they have been eager to discover this chance which was nice,” Mr tate said. Advertisements were placed on online employment websites and the word was spread on social media. “Because we began that course of early we may very well be much more selective.” Midtown Cellars proprietor Jonny Driver welcomed the opening of Ellington’s subsequent door to his six-month-old enterprise. “It may become a little strip. That’s what I am hoping for. I think there are a lot of people around to support it,” Mr Driver mentioned. “I have certainly noticed more traffic since Ellington’s opened. Anyone in Ballarat is keen to see what’s new. Everything has exceeded my expectations so far.” Midtown Cellars gives 175 craft beers alone, and wine and spirits. Customers can buy takeaway or sit in. The venue is open seven days every week. “I would like a spot folks can go and so they do not have to have a look at the web to see if we’re open,” Mr Driver said. Our team of local journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the Ballarat community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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A popular Sturt Street strip is being revived after the opening of two new bars in the Ballarat CBD.
Located in the 400 block beside each other, Midtown Cellars opened in September while Ellington’s Wine Bar and Rooftop opened in February.
The owners agree the venues could be seen as a flow-on effect of the thriving dining scene in Armstrong Street North.
Ellington’s Wine Bar and Rooftop owners jumped at the opportunity to purchase the building, a former health food store, when it was put on the market.
It took eight months for them to transform it into a two-story wine bar and restaurant, which includes Ballarat’s first rooftop bar and function area.
Ellington’s co-owner Myles Williams said the owners wanted to bring something unique to Ballarat, namely a rooftop and European neighbourhood bar.
He said the partnership of five owners started the venture because they were itching to open a new bar in Ballarat after successfully owning and operating a bar in Melbourne.
“We thought it was too good an opportunity when the building came up for sale,” Mr Williams mentioned.
“We open at 2pm Wednesday to Monday. Front and centre is the wine bar and we offer coffee, cocktails and European beers.”
Mr Williams, who grew up and lives in Ballarat, said it was the right choice to open a bar in Ballarat following the uncertainty of the past two years.
“Another reason why we decided to do something in Ballarat was how the population has grown so much. It’s grown a lot,” he mentioned.
“We chatted to folks earlier than we opened and located they wished one thing new. For capabilities, folks are inclined to go to Melbourne as a result of there is not sufficient alternatives (right here).
“I am pretty optimistic now. With COVID it was up and down and now I can’t see us going back into lockdowns.”

WELCOMING: Midtown Cellars’ proprietor Jonny Driver. Picture: Adam Trafford
Ellington’s entrance of home supervisor Sol Tate mentioned he began the worker recruitment course of early to keep away from any scarcity points, and 10 folks work on the venue.
“I already had connections and they were keen to explore this opportunity which was great,” Mr tate mentioned. Advertisements have been positioned on on-line employment web sites and the phrase was unfold on social media.
“Because we started that process early we could be a lot more selective.”
Midtown Cellars proprietor Jonny Driver welcomed the opening of Ellington’s subsequent door to his six-month-old enterprise.
“It may become a little strip. That’s what I am hoping for. I think there are a lot of people around to support it,” Mr Driver mentioned.
“I have certainly noticed more traffic since Ellington’s opened. Anyone in Ballarat is keen to see what’s new. Everything has exceeded my expectations so far.”
Midtown Cellars gives 175 craft beers alone, and wine and spirits. Customers can buy takeaway or sit in. The venue is open seven days every week.
“I want a place people can go and they don’t have to look at the internet to see if we are open,” Mr Driver mentioned.
Our group of native journalists work arduous to supply native, up-to-date information to the Ballarat group. This is how one can proceed to entry our trusted content material: