The Commercial Appeal - Go Memphis
Go inside Inkwell, a new craft cocktail bar in the Edge District
Inkwell owner Ben Colar is excited to see his vision finally come to life.
Following a year’s delay due to construction issues, Inkwell craft cocktail bar officially opened May 6 at 631 Madison Ave. in the Edge District.
Inkwell curates an environment that is elevated but not exclusive, and that is by design.
Colar said inclusivity is built into Inkwell’s DNA as a craft cocktail bar.
“I want the energy to pull them in, not push them out,” he said of prospective customers. “I want the type of person that feels welcome here to be diverse... Who do you see when you come to the bar? Who’s working here? And on the table next to you? Maybe you don’t know as much about craft cocktails, how are you treated? All that sort of plays into making sure that everything we offer feels available for anyone who wants it.”
The name of the bar was inspired by a feather pen dipping into an inkwell to “reset and recharge,” Colar told The Commercial Appeal’s Jennifer Chandler last year.
The cocktail menu is divided into three parts, “Signature Drinks,” “Classics” and “Non-alcoholic.” Each of the signature drinks has a citrus or fruity addition, coming just in time for summer.
The S*M*A*S*H, created by bar manager Kelsey Johnson, is Colar’s favorite specialty drink, being a “lemon, basil and bourbon, well, smash.” He also noted some other favorites like the Shelby County Yacht Club, made of lemon, zested gin and Italian bitter liqueurs, which “felt like a drink that you would drink on
a motorboat somewhere,” and the Wa Gwan Amica, which blends Caribbean bitters and rums with Italian bitters and vermouth.
As for the food, there are typical bar “bites” like pizza and grilled cheese as well as more unique picks like Cuban sandwich and charcuterie board. Inkwell elevates them with premium ingredients in sizes large enough to share with the table. One example: The grilled cheese is made with a blend of mozzarella, Fontina and sharp cheddar cheese melted together between nearly 8 inches of sourdough bread slices.
For dessert, Inkwell also serves four flavors of Sweet Magnolia gelato: vanilla, pineapple kiwi, banana pudding and cookies and cream.
A look inside Inkwell
Like its name may suggest, Inkwell’s core design element is the color black. While its walls — interior and exterior — are darkened, the space still feels warm and welcoming.
Despite the sleek black look, a gorgeous colorful tile adorns the floor. It was kept from the tile company that previously occupied the space and remains a playful centerpiece for Inkwell.
Groups can sit on a velvet olive green sofa or at white marble top tables with mid-century modern style black leather seats with gold accent adjustable setting lamps. The outdoor patio with high tables and chairs behind the building will make for a great retreat on warm summer nights.
Colar worked with local architecture firm PKM Architects and interior designer Carmeon Hamilton.
The music is set at an appropriate volume to either sing along to your favorite Drake, SZA and Lucky Daye tunes and still be able to converse with your friends.
“I want people to be able to communicate with each other when they’re here, you know, so I’m wanting to feel a little intimate and, sort of, you know, when you’re sitting here with your people, and you feel like y’all are here almost alone,” Colar said.
“Part of the goal was to aid in people engaging with each other when they come here, so we don’t have any like TVS or anything and there’s nothing wrong with that. We wanted to emphasize being able to make connections with people when people come here.”
On his forearm, Colar has a tattoo that reads “We buildin,” a mantra of his that’s kept him motivated both personally and professionally. Inkwell is Colar’s first venture into the restaurant business, and his ultimate goal is to continue to make his mark in the recent overall growth of Black-owned businesses in Memphis.
“This is just another option that can sort of aid in that movement of, specifically, Black business owners, Black artists, Black professionals, sort of growing their craft here in Memphis and not having to go somewhere,” he said. “It can be done here too. I want Inkwell to be just one aspect of this larger renaissance that’s going on with Memphians and particularly Black Memphians.”
Astrid Kayembe covers South Memphis, Whitehaven and Westwood. She can be reached at astrid.kayembe@ commercialappeal.com, (901) 304-7929 or on Twitter @astridkayembe_.