A new concept called The Wicked Wolf will take over Chimbas Sports Bar in Long Beach’s Wrigley neighborhood come mid-January.
Co-founders George Wolfe and Thea Mercouffer hope the two-story space, located at 2332 Pacific Ave. Long Beach, CA 90806, will become a neighborhood hub where customers can enjoy a warm setting and fresh, well-made drinks — alcohol-based or otherwise.
“We’re going to have a really strong non-alcoholic menu [in addition to our cocktails],” Mercouffer tells WNLA.
Though the husband and wife team who met in Seattle while obtaining graduate degrees in the arts have little background in bar ownership/operation, the two are confident they’ll be able to create a community hotspot where creativity can flourish (and well-crafted drinks can flow).
“As much as possible, we want to be a hub for the arts in the area. Whether that means hosting local musicians, poetry nights, karaoke, or dancing, we want to attract artists,” Mercouffe continues. “We want to hold open mic nights, host galleries, showcase playwrights, have readings, and bring in any other kind of artistic community events we can.”
As Mercouffer helms the operation — making time to chat with locals — the wife, mother, and former film student has found that Wrigley residents are lusting for fresh grub. Nearly sharing a wall with Pitmaster Mitch Liebovich’s Wrigley BBQ and Grill, The Wicked Wolf will eventually become a purveyor of lighter fare, California-fresh staples, and vegetarian options.
What’s more, the couple is working to transform the storybook-like space’s second floor into a terrace where various events and secret speakeasies can take place. However, this aspect of the venue won’t be completed until later in the year. In the meantime, they’re focused on turning the once-pulsing sports pub into a more wicked and woodsy watering hole.
