Jamal Nicoll Peaches Wine Bar & Skinnys Eatery
Since opening in 2025, Peaches wine bar has become a Thornbury staple — offering European-inspired dishes and excellent drinks in a low-key setting. Together with its sibling venue Skinnys eatery (a retro diner in a former Preston milk bar), the pair are part of what makes the neighbourhood special.
Peaches and Skinnys are the work of Jamal Nicoll and his wife and business partner, Genevieve — two hospitality veterans who have spent a decade each in the industry, and truly live and breathe what they do. Their philosophy is simple: honest, community-based hospitality “with no frills but all kills”.
After years of learning from different workplaces and like-minded people, the couple were excited and nervous to sign the lease on their first venue, Skinnys. The defining moment established the pair within their community, and whilst the build, development, and running of the business was extremely taxing, once they found their feet they haven’t stopped running (or thriving!). With both venues, Jamal and Genevieve aim to be surprising for their customers with their own brand of hospitality — focussing on making the best and most honest version of what they create.
We speak with Jamal about building two beloved venues in Preston and Thornbury, how the neighbourhood shapes their approach, and what the year ahead holds.
Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Thornbury (and Preston)?
Jamal Nicoll (jn): We have been a part of Preston and Thornbury for the past 3 years. It’s truly the best, simple. The people, the community, the pace. It’s still the kind of place that you can bump into someone you know on a street corner and have an honest conversation.
We have been fortunate enough to be living in Preston and become a cornerstone of the area. We wanted to expand our love for the northern suburbs and give a future push to the areas with our brand of hospitality.
(mg) What does Thornbury mean to you?
(jn) Full creativity, a place to feel expected and seen. It truly feels like home.
The people, the community, the pace. It’s still the kind of place that you can bump into someone you know on a street corner and have an honest conversation.
(mg) How does being in Thornbury and Preston shape what you do?
(jn) It’s honestly everything — location, the type of building, the general feel on the surrounding neighbourhood all dictate your idea. It’s then up to you to listen and adapt to what the community needs.
(mg) What makes Thornbury different from other places you’ve lived or worked?
(jn) Pace is a big player, it still feels relaxed. It feels common and comfortable. It feels like it’s made from the people, not for status or clout. It’s humble and exciting
(mg) What does your perfect day in Thornbury/Preston look like?
(jn) Wake up early, head to Preston Market, coffee from Contraband Roasters, a crepe from Les Crepes Gourmandes. Take the 86 tram down High Street, crate dig at Rowdy’s Records. Banh mi and pho from Saigon Bites for lunch, and back up to The Keys after a long walk, for a pint and a chicken parm.
(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in the neighbourhood that inspire you?
(jn) SO MANY NAMES.
Restaurants and bars: Vex, Goodwater, Pizza Elettrica, La Pinta, The Keys, Porco Ciccio, Saigon Bites, Tiny Bar, Sporting Club Hotel, Akimbo.
Retail and craft: Poison City Records, Pinky’s Store, Too Far Gone, Rowdy’s Records, Hot Copper Tattoo, Perimeter Books, Retropolis.
(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?
(jn) Recently coming back from overseas over the Christmas break, we have been lucky enough to fill our brains with new ideas and a clear direction for where we want both venues to gravitate towards. This year is all about refinement and amplification.
[Thornbury] still feels common and comfortable. It feels like it’s made from the people, not for status or clout.
(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
(jn) The recent trip we came back from — UK and France. Spending time over in the places that we base what we do off. It was very reassuring that the idea and vibe we are trying to give at Peaches and Skinnys felt similar.
(mg) Where is your next travel destination?
(jn) Looks like we will be heading back to Paris this year, and potentially Japan for a couple of pop ups.
(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?
(jn) It humbles us, makes us so happy and proud to be a part of the community we are in, and help to build. Travelling is great, but there’s nowhere like home.
(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?
(jn) Sounds corny, but explore your local area. Stop driving around. Take a walk and take a different route. Explore what’s right in front of you. You’ll be surprised to know you had no idea what was right in front of you.
Stop driving around. Take a walk and take a different route. Explore what’s right in front of you. You’ll be surprised to know you had no idea what was right in front of you.
Local knowledge
Favourite local ingredient or product:
A creamy pint of Guinness. Not much it can’t fix really.
What to do beyond High Street:
Boulder at Boulder Lab (Brunswick)
Savers (Preston, Brunswick & Greensborough)
Sporting Club Hotel (Brunswick)
Best coffee in the neighbourhood:
Porco Ciccio and CANDY
Favourite shop:
Pinky’s
Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration:
Always Preston Market, self explanatory really — fantastic produce, vibes great, hectic deli and pho spots!
Neighbourhood must-eats:
Pizza Elettrica — RUN DON’T WALK!
Thornbury’s best kept secret:
Fully Booked book shop! Floor to ceiling FULL! Second-hand buy and swap. MENTAL!
24 hours in Thornbury:
First thing, Akimbo for a pastry and a filter coffee. Over the road for a swim and the Northcote pools. Preston Market for a post-pool snack.
Thornbury Picture House for whatever they have on.
Off to the Sporting Club Hotel to knock a few pints and eat hard.
