The official opening for Walkers Wine Bar is Saturday, April 18, 2009. Inspired by New York and Boston bar designs, the wine bar is located in a building, constructed in 1929, that was the district's first gas station.
Walkers Wine Bar coming to Riverside
Friday night a few friends and myself went to the soft opening of Walkers Wine Bar in Riverside. They are on Post Street directly across from Park Place, and around the corner from Kickbacks. Their official opening is Saturday, April 18, 2009.
While the inside is not quite as casual as Bold City Brewery, the staff is just as friendly and helpful. For the soft opening they had bowls of Wasabi peas and spicy corn chips around the bar, but do have a Tapas menu "coming soon". The prices were reasonable and the owner said he plans on having a 100+ bottle selection available and frequently bringing new wines into the rotation. And by reasonable I mean their glasses start at $5 (not $9+ like some places) and they have a nice dry bottle of champagne for $20 that they kept on ice for us.
They are going to have live music on the weekends, definitely some Jazz. The space really is perfect for this type of venue. The exposed brick walls, ceiling beams and abundance of lit candles is just the sort of ambiance I love.
http://reviewjax.blogspot.com/2009/04/walkers-wine-bar-coming-to-riverside.html
Walkers is SWM Builder's Inc. most recent urban core development. In addition to the wine bar, SWM is also bringing another historic structure back to life in the urban core.
Located in the Springfield Warehouse District, 2111 Liberty Street was originally designed in 1929 as the Chevrolet Parts Depot warehouse by famed industrial architect Albert Kahn.
Walkers Wine Bar is located at 2692 Post Street, on the corner of King and Post Streets. Their grand opening is Saturday, April 18th, from 7PM to 2AM.
Images by Steve Congro
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zoo
April 17, 2009, 06:35:59 AMWow, that building and its interiors look great.
Deuce
April 17, 2009, 09:11:13 AMLooks fab. Minimalist look is great and an inexpensive way to start a business. I have high hopes their property in Springfield.
Steve
April 17, 2009, 10:27:05 AMLooking on the inside, it looks really great. They have a couple of different areas (one with couches, one with bars, and some outdoor seating as well). I think they will do really well, especially as that area picks up in life.
ohhkristin
April 17, 2009, 02:58:03 PMSo cool! I wonder how big the space is...I'm getting married next year and looking for a place to have my reception. That building looks like exactly what I'm looking for.
I can't wait til my current lease is up and I can move back to Riverside. SS blows!
David
April 17, 2009, 04:21:18 PMThat was how I felt that year I spent living off Kernan/Atlantic, although southside does have a lot of variety, I just like the sense of community you get over in the older neighborhoods.
I had a sneak peak of Walkers a few weeks ago, it really does have a ton of character. What can I say? I'm a sucker for exposed brick!
stephElf
April 17, 2009, 04:50:33 PMI can't wait til my current lease is up and I can move back to Riverside. SS blows!
no newbs allowed. or crappy bartenders. =P
ohhkristin
April 18, 2009, 02:46:39 PMListen elf girl...I may not know how to be all fancy and quote other peoples comments...but i am NOT a crappy bartender!!
Steve
April 18, 2009, 03:40:52 PMMy guess is the place could hold it, if the reception has about 70-80 people or so (mostly standing). This is my estimate from being in there twice, but it does have an awesome atmosphere.
Steve
April 18, 2009, 11:25:29 PMSo I just saw the funniest thing ever at Walker's (which BTW is doing really well tonight-a great place to visit). So there was a birthday party here earlier, and someone had a piece of red velvet cake, and another patron (who was unrelated to the party, and apparently has had WAY too much wine) decided he wanted some cake. So, he decided to have some-without using his hands. He just went over, and with his mouth, took a huge, slow bite out of some guys cake. Just thought you all needed to know.
lindab
April 19, 2009, 03:58:15 PMHey! How else do you think we get a "sense of community" over here! LOL!
norm
April 20, 2009, 10:34:30 PMWALKERS, is a great bar. The grand opening was a really good time and lots of fun. Thanks alot scott for such a great bar in HISTORIC RIVERSIDE.
Omarvelous09
June 08, 2009, 05:10:48 PMNice place... great location, chill enviro, good vibes + great wine.
Keith-N-Jax
July 08, 2009, 11:02:37 PMGreat place, nice vibe and smoke free, been there twice now and really enjoy it.
mtraininjax
January 01, 2010, 02:03:44 AMowner of Walker's is Scott McCalister, and he is also a developer of homes. Word on the street is that the economy is hurting his ability to build and complete homes. One of his homes on Forbes Street closed with 2 weeks of work to go, the new owners were pressured by SWM's realtor to close because SWM needed the cash to pay subs. They closed and did not have hot water for 2 weeks. He also does not stand behind his work, one reason the owners are now selling and moving back to other housing.