I tried these spots in downtown (on the lake) last Friday in between the hours of 7pm and 11pm.
Louise's Cellar - I stumbled upon this little tapas themed place on Sanford Ave (near Westside or West End whatever it is Bar) after I was informed that Brix & Mortar does not serve anything other than a shit-cuturie board and everything across the street at Seoul Sushi cum food truck (at Celery City) was two times more expensive than it deserves to be. It is also a bottle shop and odds and ends shop. It has been in business for two years. It's easy to pass by. I settled on some lamb lollipops (2) over couscous (Israeli). It was one of the few "entrée level" things on the menu. It was better than I expected. Especially the lamb. It cost $16. The bar and food are run by separate entities. You will have to pay two checks. The food was served (and I suspect prepared) by a one armed woman. Not that it matters in any way other than I'm impressed at the adaptability of the human species, but, it's not something you are exposed to every day. The bar is run by a very attractive and boisterous Puerto Rican woman with a seemingly larger than average familiarity with world culture. The place is named for her grand mother and it seems like she could have been the interior designer. It's very boho chic. If chic at all. There is a bar and the rest of the "dining room' is just a few tables and sitting areas with sofas. They have a big selection of non "me too" wines and craft beer. The food menu is heavy on the little Spanish appetizers that are nearly as expensive as the mains. There were four people at the bar and two idiots snickering over on line (and headphone-lessly broadcast) videos. Is that what passes for date night now? They were ancient too. What gives? There is a large-ish patio too. Not a bad little find.
Ellen's Wine Room - I walked down the block to see what was new (a cigar bar, a goth bar named Mannikan;s, a bar called Buddha something, Throwback's Bar, Sanford Ave Bar. - a few of these I named before) and ended up here. It is a wine store that serves some things by the glass and has live music. Me and one other man on a computer were the only ones there. I had a glass of wine for $8. Big pour. It was relaxing. They said they have been open at night for nine years. I could swear it was closed every time I've walked by in the evening.
Brix & Mortar Urban Winery - On off shoot of a place in Austin. They buy grapes and make shitty wine out of it. I had a watery and disappointing 2018 dry rose made from Washington grapes for $8. This batch was from the Austin "winery", so, it should have had any kinks worked out. It doesn't bode well for the Sanford made inventory. Rose has to be one of the easiest types to get right. They offer four whites, three pinks, eight reds and three fruits. A flight (5) is $15. The place is an L rectangular shape. Skinny from left to right. The bar is on the right side in the front. There is a mingling area in the rear. It looks nice and modern. Some wood and a lot of white. It is next to The Old Jailhouse and you can watch them eat through a curious window wall. They opened two weeks ago.
Loggerhead Distillery - They can't sell here, so, it is free samples. They have four options for now. A flavored and unflavored moonshine and a flavored and unflavored vodka. All were very good. The flavored moonshine was apple pie something or other. It was very tasty. The swag is cool as hell. Great logo, etc. The place looks cool. Wood and glass. It is on West 2nd near Fuel BBQ and a restaurant I can't think of right now. They closed at nine pm. Open for under a year.
Tuffy's Bottle Shop Lounge - Down the street (leaving town) by a block from Loggerhead. I wrote about them a year or so ago. This time it was packed. I camped out in the rear bar (serve yourself area) and never left. The bartender and another couple were throwing around "tastes" of all kinds of great beer and cider and whiskey. It was a very 'informative" experience. The selection is excellent. Prices weren't bad at all. The only irritating thing was a $3 corkage fee on all drinks. Still a good deal. Probably my favorite bar in Sanford for whatever reason. They are also building some big events space in the rear.
*the food hall on the main street into town may be two weeks away.
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