Perfect mix
Bar Ware cocktail bar, Juicebrothers juice bar opening downtown
Can’t decide if you want a cocktail or a green juice? No worries. You can now have the best of both worlds at Bar Ware. Bar Ware is the newest addition to the Downtown dining scene. It is a cozy lounge featuring craft cocktails and elevated bar snacks with a Juicebrothers juice and smoothie bar adjacent.
Both Bar Ware and Juicebrothers open Friday in the 266 Lofts development at 276 S. Front St.
Bar Ware
Libby Ware Wunderlich is the woman behind this new bar that bears her maiden name. Wunderlich is not new to the Memphis restaurant and bar scene. A seasoned restaurant events manager and consultant, she has worked for local concepts such as The Bluff on Highland, Jeff Johnson Restaurant Group (Local) and Beale Street Blues Company (B.B. King’s and Itta Bena).
Bar Ware is the neighborhood bar she has always wanted in town.
“Having my own place is something I have always thought about,” Wunderlich said. “Just about the time I was ready to do something on my own, my neighbor (who developed this property) approached me and my husband and asked us to take over the space.”
When you walk in the door, you step into a cozy lounge that is perfectly appointed and inviting at the same time. Leather sofas and banquettes invite guests to sit a spell and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
“I wanted to keep it simple,” Ware said. “I wanted a space that is casual and comfortable and where people can stop by for a cocktail on their way to an event or hang out all evening.”
The space feels like a warm, moody, open living room that just also happens to have an expansive bar. Wunderlich collaborated with Natalie Lieberman of Collect + Curate Studio for the restaurant layout and interior design. Wunderlich took control of the finer details of selecting finishes, accents and artwork.
The space seats 72 inside. A northside patio, adorned with string lights and shade structures, will seat up to 30 more.
If you go
Bar Ware: 276 S. Front St. Hours: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Tuesday-thursday; 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-saturday; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday Online: barwarememphis.com Juicebrothers: 276 S. Front St. Hours: 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-saturday; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday Online: juicebro.com
The bar
Expect to find creative craft cocktails and a well-curated wine selection at the bar.
Veteran bartender Jacob Leonard, who most recently led the bar program at The Second Line for six years, is Bar Ware’s bar manager.
Look for tasty and refreshing cocktails. His Indian Summer cocktail is a perfectly balanced whiskey cocktail made with Longbranch Wild Turkey, Limoncello, star anise and apricot preserves. The Green Goddess, which he called “a light summer thing,” is a mix of honeydew melon that has been muddled in sugar, fresh squeezed lemon juice, mint, basil, Uncle Val’s botanical gin and soda water. It’s an ideal choice for a steamy summer night.
Bar Ware will offer wines by the glass, as well as offer a high-end selection of wines by the bottle.
The new bar will also include a few “firsts” for Tennessee, including FRO-BEER, which keeps craft beers cold from pour to final sip by adding a frozen head to your beer.
The food
Leading the kitchen is Head Chef Kevin Quinnell, best known for his time at Itta Bena and Southern Social.
Quinnell describes the tailored menu as “creative but not pretentious.” The focus is on small plates and shareable dishes.
The opening menu includes shareable dishes like a Charcuterie & Cheese Board ($16) and Deviled Eggs ($6).
Creative dishes like a dish Quinnell calls the “BW2,” a “Twinkie-size” beef wellington served in slices over a bordelaise sauce, offer his unique and unexpected spin on a classic ($16).
Quinnell said to expect a fresh pasta on the menu. The current offering is a house-made tagliatelle ($13) with vodka tomato cream sauce, pancetta, field peas and Parmigiana Reggiano.
The menu offerings also include a selection of “Knoxville Late Night” steamed sandwiches.
“These sandwiches are so popular in Knoxville,” Wunderlich said. “We wanted to bring them to Memphis.”
Salads, soup and pasta round out the offerings.
Quinnell said his menu, which will evolve, will focus on fresh, seasonal and locally grown ingredients.
The juice bar
Adjacent to Bar Ware is Juicebrothers, a juice and smoothie shop from Amsterdam.
With six locations in Amsterdam and two in New York, Memphis marks the third market for the global brand, which has been featured in publications from Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop to Billboard.
Founder Bibi Janus, a fashion designer now based in New York, met Wunderlich years back and, upon visiting Memphis last May, fell in love with the city.
“Memphis makes sense for us as the second U.S. market for our brand and product,” Janus said. “I’m thrilled for Libby and look forward to joining and contributing to her vision in Downtown Memphis.”
Juicebrothers will serve fresh juices, smoothies and açai bowls. The menu uses organic fruits and vegetables with immunity boosting, antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory blends that promote overall well-being. Freshly brewed coffee by local J. Brooks Premium Roasters will also be available at the juice bar.
“We want to make the most of this symbiotic relationship between the juice bar and Bar Ware,” Wunderlich said. “Our bar manager Jacob is already infusing Juicebrothers’ ingredients into Bar Ware’s cocktail menu. It will be interesting to see how the ‘yin-yang / sinner-saint’ lines of the two bars begin to blur over time.”
Jennifer Chandler is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at jennifer. chandler@commercialappeal.com and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @cookwjennifer.