Non Solo Pizza has been a Parnell favourite for many years now, but the iconic Italian eatery has just had a makeover. The warm brick walkways and the back streets of Rome ambience of the courtyard has been given a sleek, minimalist overhaul, and there’s even talk of a retractable roof to keep out the rain and let in the sun.

One of the first indicators of Non Solo Pizza’s sleeker, more cosmopolitan ambience was the opening a few months back of Bar Vino, their new presence directly on Parnell Rd. The restaurant’s other bar is still open further down the courtyard, but Bar Vino is both a standalone operation and an adjunct to the eatery. It’s a smart move on a street where bars like the iconic Metropole have now closed down.

On a mid-week, mid-January evening, most of the action seems to be down in Non Solo Pizza’s courtyard, but we take a seat in Bar Vino amidst old school jazz and soul, and a couple working their way through a bottle of summery Poderi Crisci Rosé from Waiheke. Perhaps influenced by the dramatic ‘chandelier’ constructed from empty Peroni beer bottles, I order a glass of the on tap version of Italy’s most popular beer. For Carol, the switched-on barman offers to get something from the restaurant’s broader wine list and returns with a glass of Kumeu River Chardonnay.

Bar Vino is a compact spot, with the main seating area adjoined by higher stools and tables in the laneway leading to the Non Solo Pizza courtyard. Behind the bar there is a compact room with elegant burgundy and gold décor and flowing curtains. It’s a little formal for summer maybe, but will be just the ticket on a cold winter’s night.

Right now though its still defiantly summer in Auckland, and with most of Europe shivering under a blanket of snow, Bar Vino’s street side location and compact design makes it a pretty good Antipodean alternative to Rome, Naples or Milan.

venue information venue map view auckland review add a review