A Wizard of Oz inspired cocktail bar is lining up for a landing in the Las Vegas Arts District, at least on paper. The project, called Wonder Fine Liquids, is proposed for a storefront at 1309 S. Commerce St. and is pitched as a cocktail-focused spot that pairs an elevated drink program with a curated food menu and a speakeasy-style room tucked in the back, as reported by Las Vegas Review-Journal.
The project justification letter describes Wonder Fine Liquids as a "refined tavern and bar offering an elevated experience that combines high-quality cocktails with a curated food menu with elements of the Wizard of Oz feeling," according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The filings outline a footprint of roughly 5,000 square feet, with a main bar area that will also handle food service and a speakeasy-style space in the rear, and note that craft cocktails would rely on housemade syrups and mixers. Planning staff have already recommended approval of the full-alcohol application, the paper reports.
Who’s Behind The Idea
Industry trackers have linked Wonder Fine Liquids to James Manos, a longtime presence in the Arts District beverage scene and a founder of Able Baker Brewing, according to WhatNow. An Untappd profile tied to Wonder Fine Liquids lists a HUSH HUSH Sparkling Pear Ginger Cider, suggesting the team is already dabbling in packaged beverages. WhatNow reports that it reached out to Manos, who declined to share further details for now.
Space's Past Lives
The low, single-story building at 1309 S. Commerce St. has seen a rotating cast of tenants over the years, including an auto repair shop, a dive bar with live music and, most recently, a horror merchandise retailer, the Las Vegas Review-Journal notes. That kind of turnover fits the Arts District pattern, where compact, flexible storefronts often swing from workshops to nightlife uses and back again.
What Comes Next
To actually open the doors, Wonder Fine Liquids will have to click through the usual City Hall steps. Applications for full alcohol service run through the Planning Commission and a separate liquor-licensing process before any grand opening can happen. The paperwork for Wonder Fine Liquids has already been submitted, according to local reporting. WhatNow notes that licensing documents list the project at 1309 S Commerce St., 89102. If officials sign off and permits follow, the team can move into buildout and start plotting an opening timeline.
Why It Matters For The Arts District
The Arts District has steadily grown into a destination for breweries, cocktail spots and small-plate restaurants, a shift that local dining outlets have documented for years. Eater Vegas and others have highlighted how breweries such as Able Baker helped anchor that evolution. A themed cocktail bar that doubles as a restaurant would add to that momentum and give locals yet another off-Strip option.
There is no announced opening date, and the team has not put out a public timeline. Neighbors and curious cocktail fans will need to watch the Planning Commission docket and liquor-licensing notices for hearing dates and official filings as the project moves along.
