Sneak Peek: The Womack cocktail bar in Phoenix opens Sept. 30
Sometimes you need to look to the past in order to move forward.
That’s the idea behind Genuine Concepts' latest establishment, The Womack. The establishment is an ode to the former well-known Phoenix nightlife destination, Chez Nous, which was opened by Andy and Maureen Womack in 1963. Andy originally wanted a cowboy bar, but Maureen pushed for a European salon, and her idea won out. The Womacks sold the bar in the 1970s, it moved to Grand Avenue in 2007 and closed in 2009.
The Womack occupies the former Apollo’s Lounge at Seventh Street and Bethany Home Road, blending old-school class with modern flair in a dark, intimate atmosphere. The Roscoe Taylor Band, who served as Chez Nous’ house band for 13 years, will perform their blend of R&B, funk and soul at the new bar.
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“We wanted to make it as close as we could, with functional upgrades and enhancements, so when people walk in, they feel like they’ve walked back into time," said Tucker Woodbury, a partner in General Concepts.
Genuine Concepts owns popular bars including Little Woody, The Vig, Cobra Arcade Bar and Linger Longer Lounge. The Womack will be a departure from the casual spots that feature games and other entertainment to keep bar-goers busy.
“This is a throwback with an intimate setting, it's not about distractions," he said.
Originally there were talks of opening another Little Woody in the area, but Woodbury said Linger Longer Lounge was too close by. When the old Apollo’s space opened up, he jumped on it. Woodbury and Dana Armstrong, creative director for Genuine Concepts, visited the bar one day to think of a concept.
“I said, 'Why don’t we do a tribute to Chez Nous?' ” Armstrong asked. “We wanted it to be a credit to the history Phoenix already has.”
The bar has a unique shape, mimicking the one that was at Chez Nous with sharp angles. It's made entirely from walnut, and the front is adorned with subtle gold panels and lined with wooden dowels. The reflective ceiling and mirrored liquor-display shelves are a nod to the 1960s.
The velvet-flocked wallpaper is a subtle gold hue, an ode to the gold-themed Chez Nous. Half-moon-shaped, black leather-tufted booths line the walls. The hostess stand was a vintage find: It's on casters, wrapped in black leather on casters, and even has a cigarette burn on the edge.
And, like Chez Nous, the bar is windowless.
The cocktail program, created by Chris Hardin, features classic drinks from the '60s and '70s, updated with contemporary flair.
“We’re putting twists on cocktails your grandparents used to drink: Sloe Gin Fizz, Pink Squirrel and Tequila Sunrise,” general manager Bill Bastian said.
Bastian's favorite drink is the bar's interpretation of a Gin Rickey, which traditionally features gin, club soda and lime. The Womack's version uses a house-made lemongrass-lime shrub, and the combination results in a "fantastic, refreshing" drink, according to Bastian.
The kitchen is small, so the food menu will consist of simple sharing plates of old school dishes re-imagined: lobster and burrata caprese, French onion dip and deviled eggs.
“We’re doing a classic take on old-school bar eats that are shareable, elegant but not too stuffy,” said Genuine Concepts corporate chef Justin Woodard.
The bar will feature live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. When The Womack opens, Woodbury hopes to see a diverse crowd looking for a classic night out: dinner and dancing to live music in a stylish cocktail club.
“I want guests who used to go out to Chez Nous to acknowledge the fact that we paid close attention to every detail,” Woodbury said. “And for those who were not around then, we want to expose them to the environment of a bygone era. It's important to celebrate our history."
Details: Opening Friday, Sept. 30. 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily. 5749 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-283-5991, thewomack.us.
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