New Wine and Jazz Bar Opening Soon Downtown Grand Rapids
All signs are pointing to a new wine and jazz bar opening soon downtown Grand Rapids... literally! GR Noir has just put up signage at their storefront on 35 South Division Ave!
I remember hearing about this cool new jazz club early this year, when Wood TV 8 highlighted them in their "20 Places Opening in Grand Rapids in 2020".
New wine and jazz bar GRNoir is coming soon! They just put up signage at their storefront on 35 South Division Ave.
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Posted by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. on Saturday, October 3, 2020
In August 2019 GR Noir was a finalist in Start Garden's 100 Ideas and was awarded $20,000.
An article in NEU GVSU described GR Noir as "a place for people to unwind and enjoy fine wine and relaxing sounds of jazz music". In addition to providing a new gathering place, Nadia and Shatawn Brigham are also seeking to break down racial barriers within the industry.
Nadia Brigham told NEU,
“When you think about wine and the making of wine, there is a growing number of black and brown folks who are entering into this space, whether consumption, distributing, making their own wines and labeling their own wines That’s exciting for us because it’s really about lowering these racial barriers in areas that the industry didn’t believe we were interested in.”
At the the time, the Bringhams had plans to open GR Noir in spring of 2020...
Then, of course, the pandemic happened. It has to be so challenging to attempt to open a business during this time, I can't even imagine. The Bringhams aren't letting it stop them though. During this time, they've stayed connected with West Michigan on social media, and in August they shared that demoing had started at their location on South Division.
While an opening date hasn't yet been announced, it sure looks like it's getting close!
GR Noir will host live jazz two to three nights a week. You'll have a bunch of options to enjoy wine-- tastings, flights, and by the glass and bottle. According to NEU GR Noir will also have a warming kitchen for serving charcuterie boards and “heavy hor dourves.”