Plaza Center, Lafayette
Thanks to a reader for sending word that a wine bar called Winebar 1976 is coming to Plaza Center behind Whole Foods in Lafayette. Check for updates on their website here.
312 Railroad Ave, Danville
A new Napa-based wine tasting lounge/store called The Find (previously Nomad Vintners) is opening in Danville on March 6th. Find out more about the vintners and the wines they’ll feature here. The inside feels quite spacious with various areas to hang out including a separate room for more private tastings.
From their website:
Experience a very carefully curated selection of boutique, vintner owned brands the way typically reserved for a trip to wine country. Taste with the owners. Learn from the farmers. Discover wines largely unavailable outside of Napa Valley.
More photos of the inside after the jump…
City Center Bishop Ranch, San Ramon
The wine and food lounge Social-Affair opened recently at City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon. Check out their menu here.
From their website:
As hospitality experts, we believe wining and dining is the truest and easiest way to unwind and escape from the hustle and bustle of society and life’s consistent stressors. Designed to be that casual oasis, Social-Affair is the Valley’s newest and most inviting lounge, where adults of all ages are invited to enjoy an open social setting where our passions for great wine, artisanal beers, incredible tea, and delectable foods combine to create an unforgettable experience.
Established by Gunjan Madan, Social-Affair offers patrons a space that artfully combines comfort and class while serving fresh, high-quality dishes that prove a commitment and passion for culinary creativity.
1501 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
The jazz club Impulse Room, which opened a couple of years ago in downtown Walnut Creek, has closed.
From their website:
This is it!
Thank you Bay Area
Thank you to all the incredible musicians.
Thank you to all the great people that supported
Impulse Room.
We really enjoyed spending the last
couple years with all of you.We are now closed.
The Orchards at Walnut Creek
Last summer we learned that San Diego-based Mike Hess Brewing Co. would be coming to The Orchards in Walnut Creek and they have now opened with a huge patio area as you can see in the photos below. Check out their online beer selection here. Interestingly Mike Hess is a Northgate High graduate!
20 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette
The Lamorinda winery Meadow View Winery is opening a tasting room inside part of the old “Hen House” where the vintage furniture shop Farmyard Darlings currently is in Lafayette. Farmyard Darlings will remain at this location and the tasting room is planning to be open on Fridays and Saturdays beginning late afternoon starting sometime in January. In addition to tastings, wine bottles will be available for purchase.
From their website:
Meadow View Winery is a Lamorinda winery focused on making the best wine possible from Lamorinda grapes by thoughtfully controlling practices from the vine to the bottle. We work closely with local growers in the new Lamorinda AVA who are also interested in producing top quality wine to obtain the best possible fruit and then carefully ferment, cellar and bottle to obtain the optimum expression of Lamorinda terrior. In 2016 we are working with five Lamorinda vinyards. Above, winemaker Bill English is with Doug Spear and Isabelle Ord (Isabelle’s Vineyard), our largest grower.
Thanks to everyone for sending word. Sad news especially considering their grand reopening was just last month but glad they can spend more time with their family in the south.
From an email:
From the beginning, Farm Creek Brewing has always been about family. And community. We’re proud to be part of an amazing community of supporters and friends. But, we’re missing out on time with our families back home in the south. We can always make more beer, but we can’t make more time.
Heather and I have decided that it’s time for us to create the next chapter of the Farm Creek story.
We will be closing the taproom and brewery in Walnut Creek, California and relocating Farm Creek. The Janinda’s are going home.
The taproom will be open during normal business hours until September 23. We’ll begin disassembling the brewery and taproom shortly after that.
This past year has been an adventure for us and we’re glad we could share it with you. Now, come by the taproom and share another beer with us. And be ready to come visit us on the east coast soon!
321 Hartz Ave, Danville
Back in April we learned that Auburn Winery Tasting Room would be turning into Auburn Lounge Wine Bar and it’s getting a lot closer to opening. As you can see the signage is up and their Facebook page is being actively updated so check out their progress here. One reply there notes that they will still be offering live music, “Tapping into the 1930’s style music: Ella, Duke, Count”.
1501 N. Broadway, Walnut Creek
Impulse Room, a new jazz club that we learned would be coming to downtown Walnut Creek is finally getting ready to open officially next Wednesday on April 26th (Groove Dragon) and is hosting a couple of Facebook-invite parties this Thursday (Sophisticated Ladies ) and Friday (Negative Press Project). If interested in attending one of these events go to their Facebook page here and reply to their post from April 15th with the details.
The inside features a wine and beer bar towards the front with a piano and performance area on the other side. On Dance Saturdays the floor will be open for dancing to jazz, as well as “upbeat blues, Swing, and modern jazz”. Wednesdays, Thursday and Fridays will feature live jazz inspired music. There is a complimentary buffet from 5:30 to 7pm. To find out all the details including the dress code and cover charge etc. check out their About page here.
This looks like it’s going to be a great addition to the downtown Walnut Creek nightlife scene. I look forward to listening to live jazz music here soon! Don’t forget to check out more photos after the jump.
More photos of the inside after the jump…
