Indulge in wine and beer at The Corkscrew at The VUE Nov. 1

Residents of The VUE Charlotte will have to be content with a cup of coffee and a pastry as big as your head until Nov. 1. The Corkscrew at The VUE is pouring java now. But permits from the state will allow the popping of wine bottles and the pulling of beer taps soon.

VUE residents are anxious for the opening. Staffers have held three private events to date for residents to get to know them, and the Corkscrew. About 100-125 residents turned out at each event. Those stopping in now for coffee are asking when they can have a glass of wine, as well.

“We’ll have a private soft opening event in November for the resident(s),” said Operations Manager Joseph Klosek. “We’re doing many things for the residents, since they are our closest neighbors. We bought logo-ed travel coffee mugs for everyone in the building. Bring them in for a fill up and get a discount. We’re talking with the building management to work out the details of concierge service. We want to be able to deliver wine and beer to residents’ units.”

For 13 years, Birkdale Village has been home to the original Corkscrew – the preeminent wine bar in the Lake Norman area. Birkdale has been a great feeder location for the original Corkscrew. Klosek hopes that The VUE will turn out to be a vertical Birkdale of sorts, sending lots of neighbors his way.

“But we’re not just a captive bar for The VUE residents. We want to see people come from all over,” said Klosek. “Most people don’t just go to their corner bar and never go anywhere else. Entertainment dollars are stretched thin these days. But we want to get in the rotation whether it be before dinner, after work, for a big date or for your final final and then you head off the bed.”

Klosek said the Lake Norman Corkscrew brand has always stood for something. He wants that to continue in the new venue. It’s not a snooty, pretentious wine bar where the staff tells the patrons what to like, he said.

“We want you to have a good time and whatever you like, is fine with us,” he said. “We believe wine is subjective. If you like it, it is good. Want a Moscato? Great. Want a big, bold red? We’re OK with that, too.

“Wine is actually secondary to us. We are selling atmosphere. At the original location women tell me all the time that they feel comfortable coming in by themselves for a drink. We want that to be the case here, too.”

The Corkscrew will feature wines at a wide variety of pricing so they can appeal to as many patrons as possible. They’ll have $7, $9 and $11 glasses, as well as a higher-end $18 pour. Klosek is planning to do some special wine flights, too. A huge wine vault will keep wines at proper temperatures.

You’ll be able to get a glass of port from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and through the calendar to 2011. Twelve taps will dispense domestic, international and craft beers. Crafts will be North Carolina-centric.

Continuing the tradition from the original location, The VUE also will feature live music.

But until November, the uptown crowd will just have to be content with the huge pastries supplied by Huntersville’s The Bake Shoppe, and a cup of Joe.

The Corkscrew at the VUE: 412 W. 5th St.

Photos: Harry Hoover

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 9:00 PM.