Spring brings changes

Let us reintroduce ourselves...

Dearest Wine Lovers,

When I first opened Wander, the vision was simple: a true wine bar.

The kind you stumble into in Europe.

An ever-changing wine list.

Small plates meant for sharing.

A space that feels like a mini getaway in the middle of the week.

Over time — especially after COVID — we shifted and stretched to meet the moment.

And while so much of that growth was necessary, I’ve felt the pull to bring Wander back to its roots.

So we’re refining. Tightening. Elevating.

You’ll see a stronger focus on curated wine flights, Apéro-style snacking, and intentional experiences that make a Wednesday feel like a Friday in Barcelona. These changes are small, but they’re meaningful. And they bring us closer to the kind of place we always set out to be.

Below, I have added a summary based on the presentation shared with our First Class VIPs at Wander earlier this week.

This should provide a quick summary of what's in and what's out for 2026 and beyond.

On behalf of the entire Wander Team -

We can't wait to show you what we have always knew we could be!

Stephanie 

IN

• Proper European-style wine bar energy

• Curated wine selection (not overwhelming, but intentional)

• Global & classic cocktails that fit the wine bar vibe

• Daily Apéro (Monday to Saturday)

• Snacks and bar plates meant for sharing

• Travel-inspired recipes and flavours

OUT

• Trying to be everything to everyone

• overloaded food menus

• Heavy, full dinner events

• "Come for a meal" messaging

IN

• Elevated snacks, spreads and boards

• Tinned fish (for those who love it)

• Small, intentional seasonal features

• Wine-friendly bites

• Mini flights

• Simplicity with strong execution

OUT

• Too many heavy "entrée" style dishes

• Items that don't pair well with wine

• Safe but boring options

IN

• Subtle European wine bar & café cues

• Dimmer evening mood

• Visual moments for photos

• Energy that feels intimate, not loud

OUT

• Bright, overhead lighting

• Blank spaces that feel sterile

• Static decor

IN

• Daily Apéro

• Flights anytime - wine, 'tinis, negronis, g&t's

• Girls Nights several times throughout the year

• Casual drop-ins always welcome

OUT

• Dinner-style events

• Pre-paid ticketed events

IN

• Walk-in wine bar energy

• Quick bites

• Date-night intimacy

• Staff guided pairings

• Guests lingering

OUT

• Rushed table turns

• Large dinner party expectations

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

• No more daily reservations for small tables

  • groups of 6-8 can still request to book online

  • groups of 8-10 can email or call to book a table

  • First Class VIPs can book ahead for any table size

• Happy Hour is now Apéro

  • 3-5pm Monday to Saturday

  • Mini snack menu of items that are only available during Apéro

  • Regular menu will also be available during Apéro

  • Beverages are focused on $10 wine pours, low ABV cocktails (vermouth & soda, G&T, spritzes, beer) but full beverage menu is also available 

  • guests are welcome to stay longer afterwards

• More wine focus

  • more ongoing staff wine training & tastings

  • monthly wine classes will stay (except for the summer) but may change a bit in the fall (smaller portions, lower price)

  • new 5-pour wine-only Bar Tastings will be set for Wednesdays from 5-6pm for walk-ins - to start on March 18th

• Food & Beverage

  • menu changes will only happen seasonally (3 months) instead of monthly

  • more focused on European flavours

  • small plates and bundles for sharing

• Private events & bar buyouts

  • more focus on wine pairings rather than open-ended custom menus

  • more casual, cocktail parties and walk-around events

More wine.

More atmosphere.

More intention.

More WANDER.