Knifebird, the new wine bar in Cooper-Young, is set to open in May.
First things first, let’s get the name out of the way. It is the bar owner Kate Ashby’s nickname, based on a tattoo of a bird on her wrist. It looks, from some angles, like a dagger.
Knifebird will be next to Urban Outfitters, across the street from Railgarten. The look will be mid-century industrial chic.
Ashby describes it as “a watering hole for dignified people.” She says that Memphis has plenty of cool breweries and restaurants, but Knifebird will be a place to stay a while — without the smoky atmosphere and promise of regrets.
“I’m really hoping to create a neighborhood bar with ambience and character,” Ashby says.
Ashby has a background in wines, working most recently at the Kitchen Bistro and Char. She says that Knifebird will sell about 35 to 40 wines by the glass, ranging from $10 to $15 with a few high dollar glasses available. There will be local beers and a full bar as well. Ashby is bringing in a bartender to design the cocktail menu.
The bar will have a cold kitchen, meaning charcuterie plates and cheeses and the like.
Ashby says that Knifebird won’t be pretentious and they aren’t out to educate anybody. They will offer wines are that are familiar for those who like what they like and more “out there” wines for the more adventurous.
She says in her experience she finds that Memphians like California wines, but she hopes to turn them on to French wines. She herself likes a good glass of Beaujolais.
Knifebird, Instagram
Knifebird to-be
