In March of 2023, a new wine bar and event venue opened in Sioux Falls where you might not expect it: On the first floor of Allure Health Clinic.
Inside the picturesque building, owner and CEO Dr. Jeremy Storm treats patients, but says that The Wine Bar at Allure is his passion project.
“We’re trying to give people an experience they can’t get anywhere else,” he said.
The Wine Bar serves both food and wine with an emphasis on enjoyable, yet diverse selections. Manager of restaurant and hospitality Natasha Thacker ensures the bar’s offerings are well suited to the customers. A level-one wine sommelier, Thacker says she found her passion learning about wine and the different types of pairings.
“I like to ask for specifics of what the customer likes, be able to identify a wine that I think they might love, and serve it to them.”
Natasha Thacker
“I have a rotating wine list that I switch out weekly, depending on what’s new or from different regions,” she said.
Thacker keeps the mainstays available at all times and continually swaps out the other wines as she finds new inventory.
“This week it might be a Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, the next week from Napa. I like to switch it up like that,” she explained.
Storm mentioned that while variety is an important part of the selection, palatability is the first thing he looks for in a wine.
“We’re trying to have really good wines and champagnes at a good price point,” he said.
Did You Know?
A wine sommelier, or a wine steward, is a trained and knowledgeable wine professional who specializes in all aspects of wine service as well as wine and food pairing.
Like Thacker, Storm is also a wine sommelier, and it is crucial to the pair to provide customers with wines they will really enjoy. To achieve this purpose, the Wine Bar offers wine flights consisting of three different wines.
“It’s a way for people to try a few different things, and it’s not too scary,” said Storm.
Thacker revealed that people will often get a glass of a wine from the flight that they liked, and sometimes, a bottle too.
Open 3-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, The Wine Bar is open to anyone looking for a bite to eat or a glass of wine tailored to their tastes. Thacker says that she has deeply enjoyed making connections with the regulars, and that the customers are the best part of her shifts.
Like Thacker, Storm is also a wine sommelier, and it is crucial to the pair to provide customers with wines they will really enjoy. To achieve this purpose, the Wine Bar offers wine flights consisting of three different wines.
“It’s a way for people to try a few different things, and it’s not too scary,” said Storm.
Thacker revealed that people will often get a glass of a wine from the flight that they liked, and sometimes, a bottle too.
Open 3-9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, The Wine Bar is open to anyone looking for a bite to eat or a glass of wine tailored to their tastes. Thacker says that she has deeply enjoyed making connections with the regulars, and that the customers are the best part of her shifts.
“The people that do like wine like to talk about wine, and that’s what I love,” she explained.
In addition to selling wine, beer, mixed drinks, cocktails, and soda, The Wine Bar offers a seasonal, health conscious menu.
“Everything we have on the menu we try to make healthy, including fresh quality fish flown in from Hawaii,” said Storm.
The menu offers deviled eggs, a variety of crostini, and sashimi, to name a few options.
What’s more, the different spaces in the building can be rented out for numerous events. Three private rooms can be rented out for events like business meetings, holiday parties, and lunches. Guests can also rent out the whole facility.
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Shareables
Deviled Egg Bar
8 house made eggs topped with paprika and served with ramekins of pickled jalapeno, chives, capers, and pickled red onions.
Charcuterie
Warm bread and salami with an assortment of cheeses, dried fruits, and nuts.
Crostinis
Crab Rangoon
Real crab mixture with toasted mozzarella cheese. Finished with sweet and sour sauce and chives.
Caprese
Toasted and topped with mascarpone cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil, balsamic glaze, and maldon sea salt.
Tapas
Korean Spicy Tuna
Rice seasoned with furikake and topped with marinated tuna, pickled jalapenos, green onion and tuxedo sesame seeds.
Pork Spring Roll
24-hour brined pork, cucumbers, carrots, and rice noodles. Served with a Korean bbq sauce.
The lobby, bar, and patio spaces on the first floor are ideal for bigger parties, including engagement parties, bachelor or bachelorette parties, showers, and even weddings.
The booked out venue can host events anywhere from 50-120 people. The space also features a locker room
for guests, three bathrooms, and
two staircases which ascend to the chandelier on the balcony level.
“Clients have the whole space to themselves, and freedom to go with whatever their ideal decorations would be,” said Thacker, who loves the space for its “French Chateau vibes.”
She notes that the flow of the lobby, bar, and patio spaces bring movement and quality conversation to a party.
Guests can bring in their own food, but The Wine Bar also offers charcuterie options for partygoers, in addition to the regular menu. Charcuterie boards include bread and cheeses, nuts, jams, fruit and vegetables, and spreads.
Storm says that the venue is a one-of-a-kind experience, from the marble tables and the bistro chairs to the chandelier, the music, and the intentional design.
“Some people think this is an exclusive club, but other than the gym and fitness center, it’s all open to the public,” said Storm. “We’d encourage people to come check it out.”
Storm reveals that people will come to see him for their medical care, but will return and bring their family and friends to visit the wine bar and enjoy its relaxing atmosphere.
For Thacker, it’s all about the love of wine and making people happy.
“You go out to eat to have a good time, and you drink to have a good time. I want to be able to offer that,” she said.
For more information, visit allurewinebar.com.+
