Westside Winos, the LA based wine and music collective formed by Khalil Kinsey, Justin Leathers and Teron Stevenson, and Jared Meisler (Nueva, Roger Room, Bar Lubitsch, The Friend, The Little Friend) announced the opening of Offhand Wine Bar. Located in the area of Santa Monica known as the University streets, Offhand will feature a curated selection of natural wines with an emphasis on west coast producers. Doors open on Thursday, October 20th.
Offhand Wine Bar will carry a rotating list of natural wines by the glass, along with craft beers, natural sakes, and wine-based cocktails – a bottle shop will also carry a selection of wines available for take-away or to be enjoyed on site. The bar will also feature a light fare menu highlighting local ingredients and artisanal products created by chef Ralph Johnson (The Spotted Pig, The Pikey Public House).
The space will spotlight art and photography from local artists, with the first series showcasing the work of photographer and film editor Vic Brown. In the coming months, Offhand will also partner with local chefs, restaurants, vendors, wine makers and djs to host pop-up food, wine and music experiences.
Westside Winos was formed in 2019 through a mutual love of wine, food and music. The collective began hosting pop up wine tasting events at The Friend Bar in Silverlake, where Stevenson and Leathers are GM/Partner and Beverage Director. Through a lighthearted approach to wine education rooted in inclusion and accessibility, Westside Winos helped to build and connect a community of next generation wine enthusiasts. The success of the events at The Friend Bar led to a quarterly dinner series with Loam Restaurant (Ace Hotel DTLA), events with SoHo House, merchandise, a recently released collaboration wine with Amplify Wines, and more.
Stevenson and Kinsey are also co-founders of Natural Action, a subscription-based wine club whose proceeds go towards education and career opportunities in the wine industry for Black and Indigenous people of color. Kinsey also serves as Chief Curator/GM for Kinsey African American Art & History Collection.
Offhand Wine Bar will operate in the same building as Meisler’s recently opened Please Enjoy, a specialty coffee shop which will serve customers during the day.
