The gate is up as workers build out The Bodega Wine Bar at Troutman and St. Nicholas. — Photo by Diego Cupolo
Living in Bushwick for many years, Ben Warren and Gina Leone longed for a place to simply hang out and have a glass of wine. So, like the guys at Roberta’s, the native New Yorkers set out to create such a place themselves. Though a few new spots have opened in the interim, they are enthusiastic about their Spanish-inspired wine bar at Troutman Street and St. Nicholas Avenue, still many months away from opening.
The pair spent a while living in Sevilla, and The Bodega — in Spain and much of South America the word simply means “wine cellar” — will reflect Spanish bar culture in attitude, interiors, and menu. And it will serve more than wine.
“We’re probably more influenced by nerd beer places like Spuyten Duyvil and Beer Table than by wine bars,” said Warren. “So good beer will play just as important a role as good wine.” The Bodega will also serve small plates that will pair well with the wine and beer list sourced from all over the world.
Though the landlord is often-crusty Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizen’s Council, the entrepreneurs say the organization has been supportive. “From the start they were generous with their time and the amount of help offered,” said Warren. It’s probable from their view that anything is better than the bordello which allegedly used to operate in the basement. The Bodega will certainly warm up a cold corner.
No fixed opening date will be known at least until the electrical and plumbing is completed in the next few weeks. Until then, workers will be plugging away inside to bring us Bushwickers something new.
The Bodega Wine Bar
24 St. Nicholas Avenue
chillinoncentral October 27th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Awesome to see yet another sign of neighborhood growth. Great location, too! Hopefully, they wont come across the problems that apparently plagued the Phorum. A toast and best wishes to you, Bodega! =]
stockholm October 27th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
omg! i’m excited.
Professional Alternative October 27th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Awesome, hurry up please.
st. nick neighbor October 28th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Can’t wait!!
Roy October 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
What happened to Phorum?
chillinoncentral October 28th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I don’t know if anyone has an inside scoop on what happened to Phorum, Roy, but I can tell you that they closed for “vacation” in August and have not opened since. They have an official website that indicates they would be back on Sept 22 ( http://phorumonstarr.com/ ) but that didnt happen. I still hold out hope that they will return but the general guess going around is that Phorum may not have had enough business to sustain itself or that they got in deeper than they could handle. If that is the case, it’s a shame… the entire staff were all very nice and would be missed.
Matt October 28th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I occasionally see the gates rolled halfway up, but still no real activity. Just one worker guy moping about and no sign of the proprietors.
Stan Hope October 28th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Let’s hope Phorum can mount a comeback.
Ellen Liberty October 30th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Gina and Ben have invested a great deal of time, money and energy in their business. Having started my own I know how much work and patience is necessary. The Bodega is going to be a success – a positive environment for positive people.
Joe Rodriguez November 10th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
I grew up down the block and I’m happy its not another bodega or barber shop.