Art-heavy, cosy and a little eclectic, yet still refined, Bar Pin is shaping up to be the kind of local that wears many hats. Even ahead of opening, it’s clear there’s more than one side to this venue.
The new venture comes from longtime friends Nina Haigh and Hamish Gibson-Smith, Nina who has forged a career in arts, and Hamish an accomplished chef.
Not just a wine bar, nor is it simply a restaurant. Chef collaborations, art exhibitions, and curated dinners are all on the cards when in full swing, but first, Nina says there’s a particular atmosphere they’re eager to capture. The aim is to strike a balance between a watering hole you can linger at for hours and one you’d happily choose for a special celebration or date night.
The space lends itself naturally to this multifaceted atmosphere, with Bar Pin taking over the former Francescos Osteria site on Henley Beach Road and preparing to open in early 2026.
Bar Pin mid-renovation
The fit-out has been built entirely by longtime friends and owners Nina and Hamish, with Hamish having led the kitchen at Francescos until its closure. After finishing their final service in mid-December, the pair wasted no time, gutting the venue and rebuilding it from the ground up a day later, with the help of some talented friends.
Rather than positioning itself as a traditional wine bar, the venue leans into the idea of a small, welcoming local bar that can adapt to the moment. “I’d describe us as a small plates bar” Nina explains. “We’re focusing a lot on local wines, of course. There are endless incredible producers in South Australia, but ‘wine bar’ doesn’t quite fit for us.”
The aim is to create a space that works just as well for a spontaneous drink as it does for a long evening. “We’re trying to create something that feels like it’s been missing on this side of town,” Haigh says. “Somewhere you can come for a nice bottle of wine, but also somewhere you’d happily stay for a long time.”
That balanced intent carries through into the way the space has been designed. A large, statement bar anchors the room, with clean lines softened by textured walls, warm timber and stainless steel finishes. The front dining room is bright and open, while a back lounge space introduces warmer lighting, curtains and a DJ booth, setting the scene for late-night energy. Outside, a leafy courtyard wraps around an established fig tree, creating calm pockets to sip and eat under dappled light.
Nina says it slants away from what you’d expect from a typical wine bar. The presence of multiple spaces gives the venue a relaxed, grounded feel rather than a single, fixed mood.
Food is designed to be shared, seasonal and produce-driven, with a tapas-esque small plate menu that changes with what’s available and what’s inspiring the kitchen. “The menu is very seasonal and produce-driven,” Nina says. “We’re so lucky to have the quality of produce that we do in South Australia.”
Expect seafood to feature prominently, alongside vegetable-forward dishes and flavour-led plates that balance simplicity with personality. Hamish’s background brings a clean, ingredient-focused approach, while Nina draws on Indonesian, Thai and northern Australian influences shaped by origins in Darwin and time spent in Southeast Asia.
Beyond food and drink, the venue is also set to become a creative hub, hosting chef collaborations, art exhibitions, curated dinners, DJs and live music. “It’s meant to be a fluid space that changes with the seasons and suits the flow of Adelaide’s nightlife,” Haigh says.
With its opening just around the corner, Bar Pin is sure to become a new favourite for settling in for the night, partying, or something in between.
Bar Pin
Where: 146b Henley Beach Rd, Torrensville
When: Opening TBC
For more info, click here.
