A Cosy Neighbourhood Wine Shop Has Landed In Albion
BYO dogs and snacks encouraged
Tucked along Sandgate Road, a sliver of Swiss wine culture has quietly landed in Albion — complete with rotating pours and a four-legged host.
Ruby’s Wine Shop is the newest addition to the suburb’s growing food and drink scene, offering a warm, European-leaning twist on Brisbane’s wine culture. Inspired by Swiss neighbourhood bottle shops, Ruby’s focuses on sustainable, minimal-intervention wines from local, national, and global producers. Inside, over 100 bottles line the shelves, with six to eight wines poured by the glass on daily rotation — perfect for a quick sip, a pre-dinner moment, or a slow, midweek wind-down.
The 20-seat space is the passion project of founder Tamara Husler, a former emergency nurse who has stepped back from healthcare to pursue a long-held dream in wine. The venue is affectionately named after her border collie, Ruby, who also serves as the shop’s unofficial door greeter (and arguably its most charismatic team member).
Designed to feel equal parts European and Brisbane-casual, Ruby’s blends timber, texture, and intimacy in a way that makes you want to stay awhile. Located at 3/297 Sandgate Road, it slots effortlessly into Albion’s lineup of favourites like Jocelyn’s Provisions, Botanica, and the recently opened Sprout Social.
This isn’t your typical wine bar. Guests are encouraged to BYO snacks — from home or from neighbouring spots such as Olive & Thyme — making it a relaxed, choose-your-own-adventure kind of experience. Come with a friend, settle in with a glass, and graze on whatever you’ve brought along. Dogs are warmly welcomed, of course.
Whether you’re topping up the home cellar, hunting down a special bottle, or curious to explore minimal-intervention wines without the fuss or formality, Ruby’s is shaping up to be Albion’s new go-to for low-key, high-quality pours.
Need to know
What: Ruby’s Wine Shop
Where: 3/297 Sandgate Road, Albion QLD 4010
When: Wednesday: 4pm–9pm, Thursday–Sunday: 12pm–9pm
