BonnerSprings.com

Bryan Albers spent the early to mid part of the 1990s living in northern California and, during his time there, the Bonner Springs resident grew an affinity for wine.

“I got to know wineries and wine makers,” he said. “It’s been a passion and a hobby ever since then.”

Albers is now bringing that passion to a new business that he and many of his early patrons say brings another dimension to Bonner Springs.

Bottle 12 wine bar, at 111 Oak St., Suite C, opened its doors Thursday to a crowd of about 40 people. The bar is open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and Albers said the business has had a steady crowd so far.

The interest isn’t a surprise to Albers, however. Before opening the bar, Albers tested the waters to see just how much Bonner Springs residents like wine. He started hosting wine tastings every Thursday night at the Victorian Window when it was still open.

“I wanted to test if people would appreciate it. They did, so I figured why not do it on a permanent basis?” he said.

The bar will feature 12 bottles on tap to be served by the glass. The 12th bottle, hence the name of the bar, will be a more expensive selection and change on a regular basis. Albers said this bottle will give patrons the chance to sample a certain wine without having to buy the entire bottle for $100 at a liquor store. Prices by glass range from $5 to $30.

There are also 50 additional wine selections available for purchase by the bottle. Albers said what’s fun about the bar is the wine selections change almost daily and usually feature more obscure wines that can’t be found in liquor stores.

“We wanted the variety from the changing of the wines,” he said. “Every time you come in, there would be something different for you.”

In addition to the wines, Bottle 12 offers an assortment of small appetizers, including humus and meat for crackers as well as chocolates. The bar will also have 12 different kinds of cheeses that come from all over the world.

Jeff Harrington attended the bar’s opening and said he enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. The dim lights, lounge chairs and quiet conversations he said bring something to the city that it may have been lacking before.

“It’s completely different than what was available before around here,” he said. “Bonner Springs is diverse in many aspects, and this is another example of a great offering the city has to give.”

Roger Brown, general manager of Chateau Avalon in the Legends at Village West, attended the opening and said the bar shows growth is happening in Bonner Springs. He thinks it’s a great connection to the people who visit the shopping development just north of the city.

“It’s great. It’s a five-minute trip, and every time I’ve come in here, I know someone or I get to meet someone new,” he said.

As a business owner, Brown said Bottle 12 is the type of bar where he could see himself bringing business partners to have discussions instead of in a stuffy boardroom. He said with all the new development going on in and around Bonner Springs, the more diversity of attractions the better.

“It’s a good thing for a community that is transitioning,” he said. “Plus you can see Bryan’s passion. It’s contagious.”

Comments