WunderBar Opens This Friday, Here's What to Expect

After two years and millions of dollars, the Circa 39 Hotel has finally reopened to the public. Along with its reopening comes its newest addition, WunderBar, a globally inspired craft spirit bar headed up by Cricket Nelson.

The laid back hotel lobby bar, which opens to the public on Friday, December 12, will feature classic, approachable cocktails that have a global twist to them, according to Nelson. Rum will be the star of the menu with more than 60 type to choose from with entire section dedicated to them dubbed Rum in the Raw, served in natural drinking vessels like hollowed out green coconuts and pineapples.

As for the tea cocktails that Nelson has created a cult following around town? Those are coming back too with her Moroccan Tea Service that can serve 2, 4 or 6 people. Served in a silver plated tea pot the drink is made with a blend Avua Cachaca, mint green tea, raw ras el hanout, infused orange blossom honey, bitters and a side of rose water spray to mist into your drink -- so you can summon your inner swanky bartender.

If cocktails aren't your thing, a selection of craft wine, sangria and growlers of beer will be on hand for your drinking pleasure. To soak up all that booze, a menu of shareable bites is offered prepared by the hotel's Jules Kitchen, run by Julie Frans the executive chef of Circa 39's sister location, The Palms Hotel & Spa.

And watch out guys, because the ladies are running this show. Each of the four bartenders on staff are ladies with Nelson hoping to hire more. And while it is situated right smack dab in a hotel, the bar plans on fully embracing locals offering a daily happy hour, themed nights and pop-up events beginning this January, according to Nelson.

"It's the place I'm hoping people step in to have one drink and have such a good time that they'll end up staying for a couple of hours," adds Nelson. "It's definitely not a dive bar, but it has a local feel."