Grand Opening: Philly's First Wine Dive Bar to Open on South Street

Owners Chris Fetfatzes & Heather Annechiarico announce the grand opening of Wine Dive this Friday, January 10, 2020 at 11:00am at 1506 South Street, Philadelphia, PA. Wine Dive extends the husband and wife duo's footprint on South Street, where they own the newly renovated Cambridge next door and Tio Flores a block away. The couple also own Hawthornes Beer Cafe and Quick Sip - and they are busy preparing their next bar and restaurant to open this spring. With this fifth concept, Wine Dive brings Philadelphia's its first wine-focused dive bar and exclusive wine bottle shop. The 2,500 square space features a seventeen foot bar, seating for up to 50, one of Philly's most instagram-worthy bathrooms, Vegas 70s decor, 20 wines by the glass, 215 wines by the bottle, 50 selections of natural wine, 45 beers by the can and bottle, and 20 selections of cider and hard soda/ seltzer. In the kitchen, Executive Chef Derek Cantwell will serve up a selection of smartly priced, neighborhood appealing options that include bar bites, sandwiches and salads.

Starting this Friday, January 10, 2020, hours will be seven days a week, with the bar open from 11:00am to 2:00am, and the kitchen open from 11:00am to 1:00am. Wine Dive is located in the heart of Graduate Hospital neighborhood and along South Street West, above Broad Street. For more about Wine Dive, call 267-900-WINE, visit winedivephilly.com, follow WineDivePhilly on Instagram and like Wine Dive Philly on Facebook.

"Wine Dive has been this grand idea we have had for years," said Fetfatzes. "When the property next door became available we jumped at the opportunity. It is located next to the Cambridge and we just spent extensive resources to renovate our London-themed restaurant and bar so it would work in tandem with Wine Dive. Come for dinner next door at the new Cambridge, and stay for drinks and the vibe at Wine Dive. We also wanted to offer a spot in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood where we could show off our love of wine, with 215 selections in our brand new wine shop in the front of the bar. All prices - both for wine, beer, cocktails and food - were designed with the neighborhood in mind. Our goal is to cater to neighbors who want smart, affordable and quality options - and to find a place they can return to time and time again and feel comfortable, warm and welcomed as much as the first time they set foot in our doors. Red, white and rose start pouring this Friday, and we can't wait to introduce our fifth concept and amazing team to everyone."
 
CONCEPT AND VISION

Wine Dive is a wine bottle shop and funky bar located on Philadelphia's famous South Street. The focus will be small independent wines, champagnes and ciders both domestically and from abroad. From the kitchen, look for tasty and affordable bar bites, sandwiches and salads available for lunch and dinner. "The name Wine Dive undresses the immediate image of wine.  It is meant to evoke a feeling of comfort, approachability and a low pretense," said Fetfatzes.

He continued, "Wine Dive is an interactive spot blending retail and hospitality in one. You’ll be able to walk in and buy a great bottle of wine, champagne, cider or beer while grabbing a drink from our list of wines & cocktails. We’re a funky wine shop serving up delicious yet inexpensive burgers, chicken sandos and big salads. We plan on offering a deep list of wine by the glass as well as heavy focus on cocktails at affordable prices.  They’ll be a jukebox and plenty of seats at our bar to relax over our sangria & Paloma section of the menu.  Not into wine but just want a beer? No worries, we have that too!"  

WINE SHOP AND BAR PROGRAM

Wine Dive will specialize in wines by the glass and the bottle - with 20 selections by the glass at the bar, 8 wines by the draft, and 215 selections of bottles at the wine shop. At least 50 varieties of natural wine will be available in the wine shop. Wine Dive will also debut wowlers - wine bottles that are filled in house in two sizes, 25 ounce and 12.7 ounce. These bottled will be corked and sealed via wax and stamped with the Wine Dive heart logo. Wowlers is in process of being trademarked.

Additionally, patrons can enjoy sake juice boxes, kombucha, sangria, 45+ selections of beer by the can and bottle, 20 selections of ciders and seltzers, and a selection of fun, campy and colorful cocktails. The menu will also feature selections of shot and drink specials to play off the concept of the famous Philly Citywide.

The wine program itself was designed by Susan Freeman, along with owners Heather Annechiarico and Chris Fetfatzes. The cocktail program was designed by Eillen Heasly.

FOOD

Wine Dive will offer tasty bar bites, sandwiches, snacks, big salads and big flavors. Executive Chef Derek Cantwell will lead the culinary team with a menu of favorites that evokes nostalgia. All dishes will be well priced to be affordable and make it a place to return to for lunch/dinner/snacks more than once a week. Pricing is also in-line with new pricing and menu next door at the new Cambridge. Prices on the menu are for the neighbors and regulars. Fetfatzes said, "We are not pricing for the tourist market. We want repeat customers who come in as they are and leave feeling good."

VIBE

Wine Dive is inspired by a Vegas 70s dive bar - with funky colors, unique decor, custom art, big visuals, intimate spaces, various textures and a juke box. Notable features include lush banquets in deep wine red colors, photography by Fetfatzes himself, a giant cat mural in the bathroom designed by Melissa Gombos (inspired by the family cat, Fred), Salvador Dali inspired graffiti art by Melissa Gombos, mannequin arms and body parts throughout the lounge and bathroom, a retro old fashioned TV, a Spud McKenzie dog, antiqued and repurposed mirros on the ceilings and much more. Banquets are hand-carved using white birch, with shiny ruby leather seating, and orange rusted tufted orange knee walls. The color palatte for the entire bar uses wine, mustard, yellow, deep purple, and checkered black and white.

"We are going for funky, warm, inviting, cool, yet approachable," said Fetfatzes.

As a centerpiece, look for a Rowe AIM juke box for fifty cents a song, armed with Rolling Stones, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, TLC, Cranberries, Lauren Hill, Alanis Morisette, John Legend, Fleetwood Mac and the owners' favorite artists from the 70s, 80s and 90s - and beyond.

SPECIALS AND EVENTS

Wine Dive will offer a late night happy hour Sunday through Thursday, starting at 10:00pm, with $6.00 select cocktails. Wine Dive will also special food and drink programs daily, including:

* Monday - Manhattan Mondays , as cocktails will be a major focus for us, both inhouse created & classic cocktails that won’t break the bank.  Think of a $10 barrel aged manhattan
* Tuesday - TBA
* Wednesday  - Pony up wednesday a.k.a Burger wednesday - a burger, beer & shot for $10
* Thursday -  college night quizzo, ramen, $5 proseccos, chi-chi menu, $4 pbr pounders
Friday - TBA
* Saturday - Naturdays - whole bevy of discounted glass pours of Natural wines all day and night
* Sunday - Saber sundays - an all day event of a wide range of glass pours of bubbly, champagne, prosecco, sparkling whites, etc.  (saber is the name of the sword that slices open champagne bottles)

Wine Dive will also host special tastings and events during the week and month.  There will be wine themed, cocktail, bi-weekly free wine tastings Wednesday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm, and late night friday tastings from 9:00pm to 11:00pm, dj’s, paintings, varietal themed events, champagne themed -wine and craft themed nights, drink & draw, and more.
 

MAKERS RETAIL SHOP

Wine Dive will feature gifts and fun items for sale created locally by notable makers in the Philadelphia region. Items will include candles, cards, booty shorts, socks, apparel and gift items. Additionally, look for Wine Dive heart pins, coasters, shirts and bags.

NEIGHBORHOOD

Wine Dive is the couple's third concept in Graduate Hospital and South Street West neighborhoods. Fetfatzes said, "We love the energy of South Street. We love the quirky, hip, colorful and funky vibe of the bars, restaurants, retail and the neighbors. We want to keep investing in this area because we love it so much and its where we feel is home. While our section of South Street draws tourists and visitors, we really love the neighbors that really make our hood something truly special. We priced and created options specifically for those neighbors in this area - we want to see back regular patrons one, two, three times a week. We want to be that place where we know everyone's name and they feel comfortable to come as they are."

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Owners -  Heather Annechiarico, Chris Fetfatzes
General manager - Jeffrey Hyman
Wine curator/ sommelier - Heather Annechiarico, Susan Freeman, Chris Fetfatzes
Chef - Executive Chef Derek Cantwell
Interior designer - Designed in house with co-collaborators Anne White / AGW Interiors & Dominick Schlepinghoff

COMING SOON

Wine Dive is the first of two new offerings by  Annechiarico and Fetfatzes in 2020. Later in spring, look for a new bar and food concept to debut in South Philadelphia.

HOURS

Starting this Friday, January 10, 2020, hours will be seven days a week, with the bar open from 11:00am to 2:00am, and the kitchen open from 11:00am to 1:00am. Wine Dive is located in the heart of Graduate Hospital neighborhood and along South Street West, above Broad Street.

CONNECT

For more about Wine Dive, call 267-900-WINE, visit winedivephilly.com, follow WineDivePhilly on Instagram and like Wine Dive Philly on Facebook.  

FOR GROUP INQUIRIES

Susan Freeman at susanf@hawthornecafe.com