Inside 86 Wine Bar, a new wine bar and lounge in st. PETERSBURG | photo provided

Get ready to sip wine and spin records at 86 Wine Bar, a new intimate wine bar and lounge that has quietly opened at 2930 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street North Unit #B.

The cozy, dimly lit 35-seat space blends a passion for natural wines, Mediterranean-style small plates, and eclectic vinyl in a minimalist setting that feels equal parts warm and worldly.

Located near newcomers The Violet Stone and Wildflower Ice Cream, and longtime MLK staples like Pineapple Espresso and Golden Isles Brewing Co., the bar takes over the former Doakes N Doodle Café, a cat-themed coffee shop that once occupied the spot.

Behind the concept are husband-and-wife duo Kendra Hardesty and Shane Richard Schuch, who live nearby in the Allendale neighborhood.

Hardesty, a seasoned chef most recently at Cafe Clementine, will lead the kitchen, while Schuch, whose career spans years in hospitality, handles the front of house.

“We live up the street in the Allendale neighborhood and for years have dreamed of working on a business together,” Hardesty said.

Schuch’s appreciation for wine runs deep. “I was raised in a wine-loving household with two women, my two moms, who would go to Napa Valley and other places seeking vintage wines and built a little wine cellar in our home,” he said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

86 wine bar is located in the space formerly home to Doakes N Doodle Cafe | loopnet

“When I met Kendra 12 years ago, she wasn’t as big into wine, but over the years, we’ve educated ourselves on wines and boutique vineyards. One day she asked me, ‘Want to open a wine bar and you can run it?’”

Since taking over the space in mid-March, the couple has been hard at work building out the new bar.

The design combines Scandinavian and Japanese influences, with warm wooden textures, clean lines, and a calming, airy aesthetic.

A record player near the bar spins everything from Italian disco and Brazilian jazz to indie rock, hip-hop, and mid-2000s favorites. Each playlist is curated to complement the evening’s mood.

The menu focuses on natural wines, made with minimal intervention, native yeast fermentation, and no added sulfites or additives.

Glasses start around $10, with bottles available from both domestic and international producers.

“We want wine to feel accessible, whether you’re a longtime enthusiast or just beginning to explore,” Schuch said.

The bar lighting as seen in the evening | Instagram

To compliment the wine, Hardesty offers a rotating selection of crudos, fresh salads, and Mediterranean-style small plates like cheese and charcuterie boards, olives, and freshly baked bread.

“We want to collaborate with local businesses as much as we can,” said Schuch, who previously worked as an event coordinator at Golden Isles Brewing Co.

The bar features three beer taps, and the duo hopes to partner with Golden Isles and other breweries in St. Pete to offer local brews.

They’re also stocking a small selection of locally printed merchandise including tote bags, shirts, and hats made by St. Pete-based Sick Dope Fresh Print Co.

The bar’s soft-opening weekend kicks off tonight, Friday, October 10th, with a special event featuring Florida-based Nada Wine.

“Our dear friends Nada Wine and the 86 team have curated a fantastic natural wine menu, along with delicious bites, to offer you a first look of our newly soft-open space,” the owners shared on Instagram.

Weekend hours will vary as they fine-tune operations, with plans to eventually open seven days a week.

“Mondays may be slow, but we want our neighbors and friends to have a place to go after work,” Schuch said. “We’ll even offer a discount for hospitality workers.”

The couple plans to host more tastings and private events as the bar grows.

As for the name, “86” nods to classic restaurant slang, meaning to cancel or remove an item from the menu.

“To us, it means the day is done,” Schuch said. “So come have a drink, hang out with your friends, and listen to some music.”

Follow 86 Wine Bar on Instagram for updates, events, and future hours.