For the past few months, I’ve been tracking the closure of DECO LOUNGE in the Tenderloin, and now Mission Mission reveals the new owners are the same ones who own Bender’s Bar in the Mission. Stand by for more details—and it looks like the bar’s history as a gay bar has ended. 510 Larkin St. at Ellis.
Brief interlude with hipster news.
THE MELT has launched happy hour at all of its locations, offering a $1 PBR with a melt purchase (bus locations not included). Daily from 4pm-close.
Hipster interlude over.
Meanwhile, in the wine world, chef Laurent Manrique is going to be opening a third wine bar in the city (he already has Rouge et Blanc and Blanc et Rouge) with partners Christopher Condy and Andrew Fidelman. The new one will be AQUITAINE, opening in the former John Walker space on Sutter. Scoop mentions the 30-seat wine bar will also have a kitchen, serving dishes from Gascony (which is where Manrique is from) like cassoulet. Nope, it’s not just gonna be another cheese-and-charcuterie list. Timing is aimed for early 2013. 175 Sutter St. at Kearny.
Another wine bar in the works: my Russian Hill tipster tells me the former FAVOR gift shop is reportedly turning into a wine bar. Details are slim at the moment—would love to speak with anyone who has any intel! 2420 Polk St. at Union. UPDATE: False alarm, it’s going to be a business that occasionally serves wine, but not a wine bar.
