Staff Photo Nick Brothers
Not much larger than The Nines near Center Street, The Nines Alley is about 500 square feet inside, with and about 600 square feet in the patio seating outside.
There’s a swanky new bar in the alleyway between French Quarter Antiques and Shindig Paperie on Block Street.
The Nines Alley is the sister bar to the quonset hut niche favorite, The Nines, off Center Street. The bar just celebrated its grand opening Wednesday, June 1.
The beer and wine bar will be open from Wednesday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
While similar in name, The Nines and The Nines Alley vary in style and drink selection. In some ways, Nines Alley will be sleeker, with more room for standing than the Center Street location and features about 600 square feet of patio space underneath edison bulb lights and outdoor lounge seating.
Upon descending into the alleyway entrance to the bar, there’s a vintage glass display case with old copies of Playboy magazine and old lampshades hang above it set to just the right amount of light. The bar uses a large antique cigar shop register, and all of the nine taps that line the bar are custom made iron.
The walls are exposed stone, lit up by rope lighting hidden by the crown molding. Behind the taps, there’s now a 15-foot-long dark wooden bar that lines the bar taps, with several bar stools.
Staff Photo Nick Brothers
All of the furniture at The Nines Alley was found at vintage shops and flea markets. Owner Greg Hodges said the leather and vinyl looks were intended for a “Mad Men” aesthetic.
Eventually, permanent fencing will be put in place at the boundaries of the outdoor patio. For the time being, there’s just going to be a pair of chain link fences providing markers for where alcohol is allowed.
As for drink selection, there will be a Tempranillo, Cabernet and Chardonay on tap for $7 and a selection of local beers and cider ranging from $5 to $6. A house drink is in the works, Hodges said.
Whereas The Nines features tons of knick-knacks, unique furniture and stuff to look at, Nines Alley is far more minimalistic and sleek.
“I like to be different,” Hodges said. “I just don’t want to open a bar and have people come in and think ‘Oh, well that’s a bar.’ I want to give them a reason to come, and not just to drink. I want them to have an experience.”
Nines Alley was actually the first place Owner Greg Hodges wanted to open the original Nines years ago. However, the deal couldn’t go through and The Nines at The Shed off Center was Hodges’ next favorite choice.
Before taking over the lease on the space, The Nines Alley used to be office space for an architecture firm.
Staff Photo Nick Brothers
As seen in this obligatory bar photo, there are nine draughts available from handmade iron taps with three wines on tap.
With a change from the flourescent lighting, a slew of antique mirrors, chalkboard paint and a deep red color on the walls, the office had turned into Nines Alley.
The prospect of opening up on Block Street is something Hodges said he’s especially excited about.
“It’s blowing up, and I’m excited to be on Block Street,” he said.
