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Restaurant

81 Bay | Baix

81 Bay St, Brighton VIC 3186, Australia

Recommended by 9 people

Updated

Find 81 Bay | Baix

81 Bay St, Brighton VIC 3186, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 3 9279 2820
HoursMonday: Closed Tuesday: 3:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 3:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 3:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 11:00 PM Sunday: Closed

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About 81 Bay | Baix

Anchored on Bay Street by Ian Curley, this two-part haunt pairs a lively wine bar with a polished dining room turning out sharp European plates. Regulars start with shareable bar snacks and martinis up front before migrating back for the multi-course spread. The kitchen delivers serious craftsmanship—traditional steak tartare, seafood linguine, and wood-fired wagyu steaks napped in rich jus. Sommelier-led pairings arrive readily by the glass, while Curley frequently works the room himself, keeping the tableside mood easy and grounded through chocolate salted parfait.

  • Wine bar meets restaurant: Ian Curley’s dual-space layout lets diners drop in for casual drinks and bar snacks or settle in for the full seated menu.
  • Curated by-the-glass pours: Multi-course menus come backed by an extensive program of thoughtful wine pairings poured by the glass.
  • Chef-led dining room presence: The veteran chef-patron regularly works the floor, bringing seasoned warmth and personal engagement to the room.
RestaurantRestaurant

What's On at 81 Bay | Baix

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Choose 81 Bay | Baix

Discover what makes dining and gathering at 81 Bay | Baix a standout Brighton destination.

  • Curated Wine Pairings by the Glass

    The venue pairs multi-course dining with an expansive wine-by-the-glass selection tailored to complement every course.

    The other highlight was the extensive wine list served by the glass - to cater for every palate and pairing.

    Kate Pacalt-Shady

  • Chef-Patron Table Engagement

    Acclaimed chef-patron Ian Curley personally leads the kitchen and engages directly with guests across the dining room.

    Even the owner Ian Curley came over for a chat, I will definitely be visiting Baix on a regular basis.

    craig parow

  • Charismatic and Attentive Hospitality

    Warm, high-touch front-of-house staff ensure seamless timing and make every party feel valued from arrival to departure.

    what makes the experience even better is the level of high class customer service provided by the staff - especially Jack who makes everyone feel welcome.

    Ross webster

  • Effortless, Considerate Service

    Front-of-house staff expertly accommodate dietary preferences, offering considerate options without missing a beat.

    The staff were incredibly helpful and charismatic. Kiera was fantastic and super accommodating for vegan options.

    Ruby Graziano

  • Intimate Wine Bar for Catching Up

    An attached, beautifully appointed wine bar offers an intimate, conversational setting suited for pre-dinner drinks and casual catch-ups.

    a great place to catch up with girlfriends, the bar area is beautifully set up and easy to talk in.

    Anne Faiman

  • Flexible Dual-Space Social Format

    Guests can seamlessly transition between sharing casual plates and cocktails at the bar and seated dining in the restaurant.

    We had some delicious dishes to share in the wine bar before the restaurant was opened and loved it.

    Lucinda

Customer favorites and signature courses frequently highlighted in dining reviews

  • scotch fillet

    My son and husband ordered the scotch fillet - dead give away of a perfectly done steak - was their ‘hmmm yes’ in unison as they took their first bite.

    Kate Pacalt-Shady

  • steak frites

    can't remember ever having better steak frites.

    craig parow

  • Seafood Linguine

    I had Seafood Linguine and it was the best I've enjoyed in a very long time.

    Dana Walton

  • Steak tartare

    Steak tartare was done the traditional way - endorsed by the European dining with us.

    Kate Pacalt-Shady

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful touches and hospitality details that elevate the dining experience at 81 Bay | Baix.

  • Personal Chef Engagement

    Chef-patron Ian Curley actively visits tables across the dining room to chat with diners during their meal.

  • Comprehensive Glass Pairings

    The cellar program offers an unusually broad range of wines by the glass configured specifically to pair across multiple courses.

  • Accommodating Vegan Curation

    The floor team provides attentive and flexible adjustments for plant-based diners navigating the set menu.

  • Integrated Pre-Dinner Wine Bar

    A dedicated wine bar lets guests drop in for martinis and share plates prior to seated dining or for dedicated social visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the wine bar and the restaurant?

The venue features two distinct areas: an attached casual wine bar offering drinks, cocktails, and shareable snacks, and a formal dining room serving multi-course meals.

How does the dining menu and wine pairing work?

The restaurant dining room offers structured multi-course dining, including set tasting menus with optional paired wines poured by the glass.

Can the kitchen accommodate vegan dietary requirements?

Yes, the team can accommodate vegan dietary needs upon request.

Can you make a reservation for groups or celebrations?

Reservations are accepted for group dining and celebrations, though guests also drop into the bar area for casual drinks and snacks.

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