Wine cabinets coming to Kooper's
Plans are in motion to install wine cabinets and update the menu at Kooper's Tavern (1702 Thames St.).
I spoke with owner Patrick Russell (pictured, second from left) briefly today, who said the bar should be renovated and ready for wine tastings and more upscale fare in November.
"We're no longer trying to be a beer and burger joint," he said.
Here's a link with some more details.
But the wine-centric renovations may be a couple months too late ...
(Sun archive photo from 1999)
A new wine store and cafe called V-NO recently opened a couple blocks away at 905 S. Ann St. You can get wine by the glass or bottle at V-NO, which also serves food.
Until I heard about V-NO, I was hard-pressed to come up with many options for big time wine drinkers in Fells Point. Ze Mean Bean Cafe was the best option I could think of. But V-NO changes things.
Will Russell's renovations revolutionize or sink the Fells Point pub? Has V-NO pulled the rug from under Russell's feet? Only time will tell.
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
Comments
So if i want a beer and burger i should go somewhere else on Thames St.,Patrick?
Posted by: Don | September 16, 2008 4:22 PM
Was at V-NO on Friday...definitely a different vibe. Also, they don't have a kitchen so food options are limited to things like cheese, savory tarts and desserts.
Posted by: Tom | September 16, 2008 7:12 PM
ironically, the place that doesn't want to be known as a "beer and burger joint" was just selected as "best hamburger" in The City Paper.
Posted by: rock | September 16, 2008 9:33 PM
I wouldn't worry about Koopers. V-NO is tucked away—you have to be looking for it (or the sushi place nearby) to find it. Kooper's is on the main drag, so they win the casual foot traffic, even if the serious wine crowd goes to the competition. (And no mention of Red Star for wine?)
Posted by: Patchen | September 17, 2008 2:23 PM