If you haven’t been to the cute Upper East Side wine bar and hangout that is BarMeli69 {6927 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami; 305.754.5558}—which, aside from its location, makes you feel like you’ve taken a trip to the Mediterranean—you’re missing out. Helmed by none other than the Liza Meli (the bar’s cute, spunky owner), at BarMeli69, you’re not just a customer; you’re part of the family. The perfect place to grab a glass of vino and Mediterranean tapas after work, come with your girlfriends, a date, your family, or even a coworker, and settle in as Liza makes you feel right at home.
To find out more about the MiMo gem we love, we sat down with Liza herself and let her explain what makes her haunt so charming. We’ll give you a hint: it’s passion.
Read below to find out what she had to say.
What made you decide to open BarMeli69? Was it new for you in any way?
After owning several Greek or Mediterranean restaurants, BarMeli was my first that focused on the wine more than the food. I wanted to introduce to Miami eclectic, unknown grape varietals from the Mediterranean region that are made as naturally as possible and come from small-production, family-owned wineries.
How did you choose your location?
I love my ‘hood! I have been living and doing business in this neighborhood for 10 years and had already established a customer following, so I didn’t want to stray too far. Uber wasn’t around yet, and I was hoping to attract serious wine drinkers.
What’s your favorite bottle of wine on the BarMeli menu? What do you love to eat with it?
My favorite wines are from the volcanic regions, like Santorini, Greece and Sicily. They have high minerality and little or no fruit. I love pairing them with salty, briny foods like anchovies, sardines or sea urchin. That said, wine is alive and complex; so there is a time and a place for all varietals to be enjoyed. It’s all about the mood you’re in at the moment.

What makes BarMeli special?
BarMeli has become a very local hangout. Everyone that enters is happy and this happiness is contagious. I often hear people say they feel they are walking into my home, and not a restaurant. The vibe is relaxed and not pretentious; we even have live music four nights a week. Dining at BarMeli is a memorable occasion—it’s not just a place to eat and go. I feel like that’s why I have so many returning customers. We offer the whole package, from healthy food, interesting wines, and friendly service, to a charming ambiance and affordable prices.
You’re all about atmosphere. What makes BarMeli so charming?
Things happen naturally at BarMeli; but when I’m in the mood and the room is full of energy, I break a plate or two. This really gets the crowd going. It’s a Greek thing! I did this at all my prior restaurants, too. It just feels good.
What’s the first thing you do when you get there everyday?
The first thing I do is stock up the wine fridge from the night before and see what the most popular wine of the night was.
What (or who) keeps you inspired?
Hmmmmm. Inspiration? It’s a very important emotion for the “creative” and “artistic” side of the business. I think it’s too easy to get caught up in the “American way” of life with too much technology, stress and politics, feeling overworked, and unfortunately, watching too much gun violence. I take a yearly trip to Greece—alone. There, I’m able to switch off and absorb the natural beauty and live the way we were meant to be living. I also feel inspired when I have the ability to inspire others, especially young people seeking to be entrepreneurs. As a female restaurant owner (there are only a few of us in this city), growing up in the 1980s without the #MeToo movement was very challenging. Sexual harassment in the workplace was the norm! But we overcome and embrace change. I have zero tolerance for any kind of abuse in the workplace; work should be a safe haven enjoyed by all.
If you weren’t running BarMeli, what would you be doing?
I would be running another restaurant. It’s in my blood, it defines who I am, it gives me pleasure and pain, it is what I love to do. There is no other profession I would rather be doing.
Fast forward five years from now. What will BarMeli be like then?
Five years from now?! I can’t say. I just live, enjoy and am grateful for the moment.
Happy dining!
By Jennifer Agress | Miami Editor