Tucked away on brick-paved Aviles Street, where the arched wooden entry to the narrow boulevard is named after the town of Aviles, Spain, is St. Augustine's newest lounge, Cellar6 (6 Aviles St
Saint Augustine, FL, 904.827.9055).
With its dazzling yellow glass wine cellar - one tiered story above the bar - the wine bar is cool, intimate and relaxing.
Owners Craig Colee and Valerie Shubert offer a broad selection of fine wines and small plates.
“We enjoy offering an impeccable first-class experience for friends to meet or for a romantic evening," says Colee, a seasoned hospitality/restaurant entrepreneur, former tennis pro and St. Augustine native.
According to Shubert, a Jacksonville native and mother of two who also spent years in the hospitality industry at upscale private resorts and clubs, Cellar6 features affordable prices, especially for high end presentations focused on smaller plates.
“The Cellar6 wines are a global collection that we’re excited to pour, along with Wolfgang Puck coffees, beautiful hand-crafted desserts and familiar dishes prepared with surprising flair,” she adds.
The ambiance is seductive, warm and features chic vintage living room furnishings rescued from a legendary Palm Beach hotel, sharing space with modern black tables surrounded by comfy barstools.
Contemporary jazz artists make up the nightly playlist. There's also a schedule of live acts which capture the feel of the speakeasy era.