Bar Martin

About Bar Martin

Bar Martin is a neighbourhood wine bar and bottle shop nestled on Martin Avenue in Mount Albert, serving Auckland's inner west. Designed as an easygoing local gathering place, it pairs a thoughtfully curated, wide-ranging wine list with a sharp European-inspired menu of sharing plates, charcuterie, artisan cheeses, and warm bites.

Operating strictly on a walk-in basis with no bookings, the bar welcomes guests through the afternoon and evening into its cosy interior and courtyard. Alongside wines by the glass and bottle, craft beers on tap, classic cocktails, and non-alcoholic options, Bar Martin holds an off-licence allowing visitors to purchase retail wine and beer to take away before 9 PM.

Bar Martin: Mount Albert's Neighbourhood Wine Bar and Bottle Shop

Tucked into a quiet corner of Mount Albert on Martin Avenue, Bar Martin has established itself as an essential gathering point for Auckland's inner west. Operating as both a vibrant neighbourhood wine bar and a curated bottle shop, it captures the effortless charm of European aperitivo culture while remaining rooted in its local community. With relaxed outdoor courtyard seating and an intimate interior, it offers a welcoming refuge where locals can pop in for a quick afternoon glass or settle in for an evening of shared plates.

A Thoughtful Cellar and Bottle Shop

The beverage programme at Bar Martin is extensive, diverse, and carefully considered. Wine lovers will find an ever-evolving list spanning classic European regions alongside exciting independent New Zealand producers. The offerings range from grower Champagnes and funky pét-nats to aromatic whites, skin-contact skin-macerated amber bottles, and chilled reds from Spain, France, and Central Otago.

Beyond what is poured by the glass at the counter, the venue operates an on-site off-licence bottle shop. Guests can browse the shelves and purchase any of the bar’s wines or craft beers to take home at retail prices, provided takeaway orders are made before 9 PM.

Generous Plates and Charcuterie

The kitchen operates on a simple, ingredient-forward philosophy, turning out dishes that naturally complement the wine selection. The menu opens with classic bites like warm marinated olives and traditional Gilda pintxos skewered with white anchovy, guindilla pepper, and pickled garlic. Charcuterie and pantry plates feature prominently, from thinly shaved Mortadella and Jamon Iberico to rich Bresaola Tonnato and smooth duck or truffle-spiked chicken parfaits served with crusty sourdough and cornichons.

Warm plates deliver hearty, comforting depth. Highlights include the melt-in-the-mouth eight-hour Wagyu brisket served with a savory porcini jus and tangy balsamic cipollini onions, alongside tender meatballs made in collaboration with local favourite Pirie’s Butcher in Mt Eden, finished under a delicate blanket of lardo.

Atmosphere and Visiting

True to the spirit of a genuine neighbourhood local, Bar Martin operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no advance bookings taken. Doors open at 3 PM from Tuesday through Saturday, and from 2 PM on Sundays, making it just as appealing for sunny weekend afternoon drinks as it is for lively evening catch-ups.

Signature items

• 8 Hour Wagyu Brisket
• Meatballs + Red, Lardo Blanket
• Burrata w/ Courtyard Herb Oil
• Duck Parfait w/ Sourdough
• Gilda Pinxto
• BM Barrel Aged Vermouth Rouge

Menu

Cheese

• Burrata — Fresh burrata dressed with courtyard herb oil, capers, and chilli

Snacks

• Bar Martin Nuts — Seasoned bar nut mix
• Warm Marinated Olives — House-marinated warm olives
• Gilda Pinxto — Skewer with white anchovy, guindilla pepper, olive, and pickled garlic

Gift Cards

• Bar Martin Gift Cards — Digital and physical vouchers redeemable at the bar and wine shop

Hot Dishes

• Charred Kimchi Cauliflower — Charred cauliflower with kimchi, confit garlic, and romesco sauce (contains nuts)
• Broccolini, Whipped Zucchini + Pine Nut Dukkah — Tender broccolini paired with whipped zucchini and pine nut dukkah (contains nuts)
• Harissa Spiked Baked Beans — Warm baked beans spiked with spicy harissa
• Potato Gratin — Layers of potato baked with Grana Padano cheese and truffle cream
• Meatballs + Red, Lardo Blanket — Meatballs crafted from Pirie's Butcher meat in red sauce beneath a lardo blanket
• 8 Hour Wagyu Brisket — Slow-cooked 8-hour wagyu brisket in porcini jus with balsamic cipollini onions

Bottle Shop

• Retail Takeaway Wine & Beer — All wines and packaged beers available to take away at retail prices before 9 PM

Charcuterie

• Mortadella + Guindillas Peppers — Sliced mortadella served with pickled guindilla peppers
• Coppa + Crisps w/ Fennel Oil — Cured coppa served with crisps and dressed with fennel oil
• Jamon Iberico + Hazelnuts — Cured Jamon Iberico accompanied by hazelnuts
• Bresaola Tonnato — Cured beef with tuna sauce and lemon oil

Bread & Fish

• Sourdough + Whipped Butter — Fresh sourdough bread served with whipped butter (gluten-free bread available on request)
• Duck Parfait — Duck parfait served with sourdough and cornichons
• Chicken, Truffle + Mushroom Parfait — Chicken, truffle, and mushroom parfait served with sourdough and cornichons
• Anchovies, Sourdough, Seaweed Butter — Anchovies served on sourdough with seaweed butter
• Sardines, Rye, Seaweed Butter, Lemon — Sardines served on rye with seaweed butter and fresh lemon

Cocktails & Aperitifs

• Mulled Wine — Warm spiced mulled wine
• BM Barrel Aged Vermouth Rouge — Barrel-aged house red vermouth garnished with orange, olive, and rosemary
• Spritz — Choice of Aperol, Campari, or Bizzarro
• On the Rocks Classics — Choice of Negroni, White Negroni, Old Fashioned, or Margarita
• Espresso Martin — House espresso martini
• Sherry & Fortified Wines — Valdespino Fino or Amontillado dry sherry, Sauternes, Cream Sherry, or 10yo Port
• Digestifs & Bitters — Mattei Cap Corse Blanc, Henri Bourdoin Pastis, or Amaro selection

Wine, Beer & Non-Alcoholic

• Curated Wine by Glass & Bottle — Extensive cellar offering sparkling, pet-nat, Champagne, white varietals, skin-contact orange wines, rosé, chilled reds, Pinot Noir, and Syrah
• Tap Beer — Rotating draught beers poured in full or half pints
• Bottled & Canned Beer — Selection including Hallertau craft brews, Cassels Milk Stout, O'Briens gluten-free, Sawmill Bare 0%, and international lagers
• Abel Methode Cider — 375ml bottle of artisan methode cider
• Non-Alcoholic Drinks — NON #1 salted raspberry & chamomile, Odd Bird 0% sparkling, Karma sodas, Fever Tree mixers, juices, and coffee

Frequently asked questions

Does Bar Martin take table reservations?

No, Bar Martin operates strictly on a walk-in basis with no bookings accepted.

What time does Bar Martin open?

The bar opens from 3:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and from 2:00 PM on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays.

Can I purchase wine and beer to take home?

Yes. Bar Martin holds an off-licence bottle shop, and all wine and beer are available for takeaway at retail prices before 9:00 PM.

Are gluten-free food options available?

Yes, bread with no added gluten is available on request to pair with parfaits, spreads, and sharing plates, alongside gluten-free bottled beers.

Where do they source their meat for hot dishes?

Bar Martin sources meat locally, including collaborating with Pirie's Butcher in Mt Eden for their house meatballs.

Are non-alcoholic drinks available?

Yes, the bar offers zero-alcohol wines such as Odd Bird Blanc de Blancs and NON #1, zero-proof beers including Sawmill Bare and Guinness 0%, craft sodas, juices, and coffee.

Tips

• {"body":"Because the bar operates without reservations, arriving shortly after opening time (3 PM Tue-Sat, 2 PM Sun) ensures the best chance at a prime courtyard table.","title":"Arrive Early on Weekends"}
• {"body":"Make use of their bottle shop licence to take retail-priced bottles of wine and beer home, but ensure you complete purchases before the 9 PM off-licence cutoff.","title":"Pick Up Takeaway Wine Before 9 PM"}
• {"body":"Hot dishes like the 8-hour Wagyu brisket and meatballs in red sauce take a minimum of 15 minutes to prepare, so order a plate of sourdough or pintxos to enjoy while you wait.","title":"Pair Hot Bites with Bread"}

Good to know

• {"dietary":"Gluten-free bread available on request; nuts noted on menu items."}