A small wine bar named after a Belgian queen is proposed for the corner of Prince Albert and Raglan streets in Mosman Junction by Philippe and Hannah Gilbert, the owners of Vini Divini Wine Lab.
Plans lodged with Mosman Council put Paola Wine Bar at 120 Prince Albert St, according to the Mosman Collective. The room would seat no more than 20 people. Guests would find Australian, Italian and French wines on the list, along with newer labels from other parts of the world.
Why Paola?
The name comes from former Queen Paola of Belgium, who was born in Italy and married Prince Albert, later King Albert II. The application also nods to the street the bar sits on. According to the documents, the name reflects the owners’ Belgian, Italian and Australian roots, and their long ties to the local community.
The Gilberts also run Vini Divini Wine Lab, a CBD bar that opened near Wynyard Station in 2021. For Mosman, they describe something different. They say Paola would be a neighbourhood wine bar rather than a late-night drinking spot, with table service, a focus on wine appreciation and light food.
Hours and the Foothpath
Trading hours differ by day. The bar would run from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and from noon to midnight Thursday to Saturday. On Sundays it would run from noon to 10 p.m. An Environmental Impact Statement says the hours suit an early evening and dinner crowd and would add life to the Mosman Village centre. Outdoor seating is the exception, with all of it finishing by 9 p.m. to limit the effect on neighbours.
Outside, plans show tables on Prince Albert Street in a Parisian-style arrangement facing the road beside the bus stop. The Raglan Street seats would go inside the outdoor dining area already approved for Bacino Espresso.
Food, Cost and Licence
There would be no cooking on site. Cheese, charcuterie and share plates such as Caprese salad would be made at a commercial kitchen elsewhere, then plated at the bar.
The application values the work at $181,500. The Gilberts also plan to apply to Liquor & Gaming NSW for a small bar licence. In the application, they say they want to work with Council and the building’s Owners Corporation over time to restore the building in line with its heritage significance.
What Happens Next
The Mosman Collective’s report doesn’t say when Council will decide. Council’s website has a form for residents who want to comment on an application, though it’s unclear whether this one is open for submissions.
Published Date 26-October-2026
