In surprise-good news for Fort Worth wine lovers, beloved boutique wine bar WineHaus has been resuscitated after shutting off the taps last August.
According to a release, the Near Southside hot spot will reopen Monday, November 23 at its original location, 1628 Park Place Ave., under new ownership. Longtime WineHaus “regulars” Robyn Davis and Dan Larrimore are its saviors.
“We bought WineHaus out of our love for wine and the dream of owning our own wine bar one day," Davis says in the release. "We have been loyal customers since the day it opened and even took our level 1 sommelier certification class there back in 2017, so it has always held a special place in our hearts."
It was the "warm and laid-back vibe" of their favorite happy hour spot that Davis and Larrimore loved and wanted to bring back for patrons, she says.
Former owner Lindsey Kohn opened WineHaus in 2013 and initially lived in the historic building’s upstairs. The pretty bar become a favorite Fairmount neighborhood gathering place. It was known for stocking limited-production wines made by independent producers and for offering wines on tap, providing for a fun way to try unique varietals.
The bar was able to survive a roof collapse after a major storm in 2014, but couldn’t survive the shutdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. After seven years in business, Kohn closed the doors in August.
The new owners say they'll keep many of the elements people liked and will introduce some new ones, like weekly jazz nights on an expanded and remodeled outdoor patio, which will contain a selfie-ready, large-scale impressionistic mural inspired by Monet’s Water Lilies.
Since they're opening amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, the owners have taken several new safety precautions, including reconfiguring the indoor space to create smaller group areas with more room in between tables for social distancing. They'll also open with limited capacity inside. Masks, of course, are required inside.
Longtime employee Monica Wright will continue to serve behind the bar, pouring an array of top-tier wines, they say, and WineHaus' monthly Rack & Riddle wine club will start back up in December.
In addition to normal business hours, WineHaus is offering private party space rentals in two spaces: an upstairs lounge (which can accommodate 70 people, depending on current health restrictions) or the outdoor patio that can seat up to 35. Those interested should email monica.winehaus@gmail.com for information and reservations.
WineHaus' soft reopen starts Monday, November 23 with special holiday hours throughout Thanksgiving week: 4-9 pm Monday-Wednesday, closed Thanksgiving, 3:30 pm-10:30 pm Friday-Saturday; closed Sunday.
Normal operations start Monday, November 30, hours being: 5-9 pm Monday, 3:30-10:30 pm Tuesday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
Watch their website and social media channels for information about a grand opening coming soon.
"We love the quote, ‘Wine makes daily living easier, less hurried, with fewer tensions and more tolerance,’” says new co-owner Larrimore. “This is exactly why we are so excited to reopen and provide a safe environment during these crazy unprecedented times. Wine is our passion, and we are excited to offer the opportunity to share it with the community.”
Dan Larrimore and Robyn Davis have reopened WineHaus.
