Name this wine & beer bar...

[C. Bowman]

Cafe Vin Yard - this you have cafe for coffee, vin for wine & yard for a yard of ale

Java Stomp - coffee & Lucy & Ethel stomping grapes

Cafe Au Vin

[John Kenney]

How about:

(simply) La Barre.
Brews and Vins.
By the glass.
The Endless Pour.
Glug.
My Place.

[Randy Bowman]

Wow, that came out of the blue from the WWOW. A catchy name that covers it all. If you don't want it, I think we'll start selling coffee and change our too many words name.

Cafe Vin Yard - this you have cafe for coffee, vin for wine & yard for a yard of ale

+1

And not just because she can kill me while I'm sleeping, I like the name.

[Brian Lynch]

Geographically and functionally, you could call it


MInndakota Bistro

or

Bistro Tokota

[Scott Butler]

Wow, that came out of the blue from the WWOW. A catchy name that covers it all. If you don't want it, I think we'll start selling coffee and change our too many words name.

Cafe Vin Yard - this you have cafe for coffee, vin for wine & yard for a yard of ale

+1

And not just because she can kill me while I'm sleeping, I like the name.

I agree - I like this one!

[mikeycook]

which will happen only if the place catches on --- popularity and success come first, then come the nickname(s).

Brian is usually right about everything in my experience. :)

Everything I've read, and my experience talking with the 20-30 year olds who are my customer and who I've met at trade events tells me that a French name is a huge mistake.

I'd recommend shit canning everything us old farts tell you and spend tonight hanging out at a pizza and beer place or a coffee house in that town asking the kids what they think a good name is.

I do agree with the sentiments about a French name probably being a mistake in SW Minn. It's unfortunately that it has as much to with anti-French sentiment in this country, which has been flamed noticeably in the past decade, as with being a difficult name to understand or pronounce. You notice no one has a problem with a major food chain named "Chipotle".

[Terence T-Bone Livingston]

which will happen only if the place catches on --- popularity and success come first, then come the nickname(s).

Brian is usually right about everything in my experience. :)

Everything I've read, and my experience talking with the 20-30 year olds who are my customer and who I've met at trade events tells me that a French name is a huge mistake.

I'd recommend shit canning everything us old farts tell you and spend tonight hanging out at a pizza and beer place or a coffee house in that town asking the kids what they think a good name is.

I do agree with the sentiments about a French name probably being a mistake in SW Minn. It's unfortunately that it has as much to with anti-French sentiment in this country, which has been flamed noticeably in the past decade, as with being a difficult name to understand or pronounce. You notice no one has a problem with a major food chain named "Chipotle".

Well then the only name left would be the Frow-Maggie Cressant. Or abbreviated: FroMo.


Fromage!

Seriously, Good luck Thomas.

[Bruce Leiserowitz]

The Cow Tippler?

Bruce

[Thomas Keim]

The Cow Tippler? Bruce

Turned in the business plan last Saturday with the name - THE ABBEY - They didn't like the name - but in a meeting a few minutes ago - I popped this thread up - and they loved THE COW TIPPLER -

They are still laughing and thinking about the marketing capabilities of it -

I like it too - the logo would be fun to design -

[Jeff Twersky]

Don't know anything about Marshall MN, so I checked it out online. How about The Lyons Den, since it is in Lyons County?

[PeterJ]

I really don't want to sound like I'm taking shots at either Bruce or MN, but my oh-so-humble opinion is that The Cow Tippler is possibly the worst name for a wine bar I've ever heard in my life. Must be one of those 'you have to be there' things. And................. I DO know what 'cow tipping' is.

[Phillip Cobb]

Late to the game, but throwing in my opinions:

-Agree beer sales will far outpace wine sales. What I usually witness in similar places has been that beer pulls in folks, and the great wine selection is a delighter for those into wine or who prefer it to beer--but wine doesn't create the initial visit.

-My view of promotions: cheap beer > cheap food > cheap wine > featured music

-French name should be a no go; does more harm than good. I'd suggest something that speaks more to the beer side or gives an essence of the environment/place. A play on the street name or the owner's name is always a decent route, as that automatically gives a sense of place or personality (especially if those owners occasionally visit).

-Big key will be a menu that educates. Nobody likes to feel like an idiot because they don't know a saison from an IPA or what a Malbec will taste like. The staff is obviously integral in this education as well. Free tastes are your friend as you try to become a place that encourages exploration.

No experience in opening a bar, but I am a 25 yr old guy who graduated college from / grew up in rural Ohio. Would my buddies be intrigued by Le Maison du biere? No. Would they be happy to check out The Cow Tippler or The Maple Street Drinkery or Smith's Drink House? You betcha.

[Steve Sliger]

hops & vine?

suds & juice?

i remember a really cool live music spot in cincy back in the day called sudsy malones -- it was a laundromat that had live music acts and a really cool beer menu. i still love that name but have no idea whether the bar is still open or not.

[mark rudner]

brew cru

[dteng]

Verve

[dteng]

or how about...

Merci Beercoup