Apt 115 has been in soft open mode for about a month now, but if you haven't yet heard of this secluded wine bar, we wouldn't blame you. The vino haven is inconspicuously situated on the ground floor of 7East Urban Homes, and seems more like a private living room than a public bar.
Apt 115 comes to us from Joe Pannenbacker, a native Austinite and a music and hospitality veteran. Music, in fact, is a huge part of the Apt 115 experience—Pannenbacker curates the playlist from his personal vinyl collection, hoping that his customers feel like they're having an intimate visit while being able to just relax and enjoy music while swirling a glass.
And speaking of the wine: The curated selection focuses on North American wines as well as some more obscure international picks, like Rkacieteli, a white varietal from Macedonia. With a wine list that changes daily, visitors can always find something new to try—even if that means they opt for a beer instead (Apt 115 also offers rotating beers on tap, as well as local craft beer in cans).
“Wine to me is like music. It’s meant to be fun,” says Pannenbacker. “Sometimes we work outside the rules but the aim is to always help guests enjoy wine without any intimidation factor, facilitate fun and let people enjoy the music, or in this case, the wine and the music.”
Glasses start at $7, beers at $3 (damn, talk about a solid happy hour spot) and if you're hungry there are snacks to, uh, snack on—meats and cheeses and breads and the like. Grab a friend, head here after work and know that, yes, it is possible to find good wines in a random apartment complex.
Apt 115 is located at 2025 East 7th St, and is open daily from 5 to 11pm.