The founders of Filthy Poor will open the venue in late spring, with Executive Chef Brian MacAlister leading a kitchen built around charcoal cooking.

Silver Linings, a new wine bar serving charcoal-cooked sharing plates alongside a vinyl soundtrack, is set to open in Collingwood in late spring 2026.

Located at 406 Smith Street, the venue is owned by Ben Clark and Simon Aukett, co-founders of hospitality creative agency Filthy Poor. Its wine selection will span natural, biodynamic and classic styles.

Executive Chef Brian MacAlister will develop dishes around the wines, cooking meat, seafood and farm produce over a charcoal hibachi. An exact opening date has not been specified.

Charcoal Cooking and Sharing Plates

MacAlister’s experience includes Michelin-starred Ynyshir in Wales, Chapter One in Dublin and Canberra’s chef-hatted Temporada. In Melbourne, he has led the kitchens at Cutler & Co and Builders Arms.

His menu at Silver Linings will combine Australian produce with techniques drawn from that international background. Plates will be designed for sharing.

Co-owner Ben Clark said the intention was to bring the food, wine and music together in a small venue.

“We’re building something small and moody, where the wine, the food and the records all work together to wrap you in a hug,” Clark said.

Vinyl and Visiting DJs

Pioneer turntables and vintage Wharfedale speakers will form the sound system, with curated records and sets from local and international DJs.

Music will range across old- and new-school deep house, instrumental jazz house and vocal-led tracks. The founders cite Ibiza’s Pikes Hotel, Parisian lounges and East London’s underground scene as influences on their plans.

Both owners have worked across international hospitality venues. Clark’s background includes London’s Zetter Townhouse, Soho House Group and Bistrot Bruno Loubet, alongside more than 20 years of hospitality ownership in the UK and Australia.

Aukett has led bars at Mondrian London, The Player, Milk & Honey and Vancouver’s Keefer Bar.

A Smith Street Venue of Their Own

Through Filthy Poor, the pair have worked on branding and venue projects for other hospitality businesses. Silver Linings will be their own wine bar.

Co-owner Simon Aukett said Collingwood had been a location they were considering before securing the Smith Street premises.

“We’d had our eye on Collingwood for some time, so when this little gem on Smith Street came up, we didn’t hesitate,” Aukett said.

Opening details

Venue: Silver Linings
Address: 406 Smith Street, Collingwood
Expected opening: Late spring 2026
Website: silverlinings.wine