Melbourne icons Bar Americano and Pentolina shutting down

Melbourne city is losing its heart according to Bar Americano owner Matt Bax, who will close the doors on two CBD favourites.

Bar Americano, a cocktail bar on Presgrave Place, will be forced to shut after Bax was unable to renew the venue lease with the new landlord.

Another institution, Pentolina, a pasta restaurant on Little Collins St, will close by Christmas.

Both venues announced their closures via social media.

“Times are changing and Melbourne needs to get its sh*t together, we’re losing the heart of what made it so great,” Bar Americano wrote on Instagram.

“My heart aches for small businesses like this that cannot win against landlords and developers.”

Bax has operated in the same location for 10 years.

The venue was acquired by George Sykiotis, who was once a partner in George Calombaris’s restaurants.

“I survived 11 years in Pelgrave but I didn’t survive a new landlord,” Bar Americano wrote on Instagram.

Pentolina wrote on Instagram: “It breaks our hearts to inform you that we’ll be closing the doors to our little Collins Street pasta haven at Christmas.

“Needless to say we’re devastated, and we’re exploring alternative options for keeping the Pentolina spirit alive in another location.”

Pentolina is another that could not come to agreement with a new landlord.

Irit Jackson - 6-10-22