A swanky European social club where members pay thousands to store wine in speakeasy-like lounges is opening its first stateside location in DC — take a look inside

Melissa WileyAug 21, 2020, 04:00 IST

wineLAIR DC.Courtesy WineLAIR

A members-only wine club with locations throughout Europe is set to open its first stateside branch in Washington, DC's West End on September 8.
Called wineLAIR, the leather couch-filled space will house 358 climate-controlled wine lockers where members can store their own wines to enjoy with close friends.
WineLAIR membership starts at $300 per month with a $5,000 initiation fee and grants members access to sister wineBANK locations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Founder Christian Hess told Business Insider he's optimistic about opening wineLAIR in the US despite the pandemic, citing privacy as a large draw.

Opening a new business in the middle of a pandemic presents a unique set of challenges, but winemaker and entrepreneur Christian Hess isn't deterred.

wineBANK founder Christian Hess. Courtesy WineLAIR

Back in 2009 on the heels of the financial crisis, he launched wineBANK Frankfurt, a members-only space where people could store and drink their wine in a speakeasy-like space.

wineBANK Frankfurt. Courtesy wineBANK

Back in 2009 on the heels of the financial crisis, he launched wineBANK Frankfurt, a members-only space where people could store and drink their wine in a speakeasy-like space.

Though the global economic outlook was dire and his bank skeptical, Hess felt in his gut that people would pay for access, he told Business Insider.

wineBANK Frankfurt. Courtesy wineBANK

A decade later, wineBANK now has nine locations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland. A 10th location — the first one stateside — is set to open in Washington, DC, on September 8.

wineBANK Rheingau. Courtesy wineBANK

A decade later, wineBANK now has nine locations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland. A 10th location — the first one stateside — is set to open in Washington, DC, on September 8.

Hess describes wineBANK as a mix between a wine storage facility, private members club, events space, and luxury travel network.

wineBANK Rheingau. Courtesy wineBANK

Members pay between $120 and $1,540 per month, plus an initiation fee, for storage in a 'home' wineBANK depending on the location and can access any of the brand's international locations when traveling.

wineBANK Köln (Cologne). Courtesy wineBANK

Members pay between $120 and $1,540 per month, plus an initiation fee, for storage in a 'home' wineBANK depending on the location and can access any of the brand's international locations when traveling.

Each of the existing locations in Europe is accessible 24/7 by key card. The wineBANKs are made up of climate-controlled wine storage lockers plus wine tasting stations and lounge areas decorated with designer furniture.

wineBANK Wien. Courtesy wineBANK

Each of the existing locations in Europe is accessible 24/7 by key card. The wineBANKs are made up of climate-controlled wine storage lockers plus wine tasting stations and lounge areas decorated with designer furniture.

The allure of wineBANK is that it offers a refined space for drinking wine without the need to make reservations, Hess told Business Insider. If members wanted to head to a wineBANK at 3 a.m. and turn on music to woo a special someone or wind down from a great night, they could.

wineBANK Wien. Courtesy WineBank

The allure of wineBANK is that it offers a refined space for drinking wine without the need to make reservations, Hess told Business Insider. If members wanted to head to a wineBANK at 3 a.m. and turn on music to woo a special someone or wind down from a great night, they could.

While the DC location will have all the trappings of the wineBANK brand, it will offer a more elevated experience due to its location in a major international city and go by the name wineLAIR, Hess said.

wineLAIR DC. Courtesy WineLAIR

While the DC location will have all the trappings of the wineBANK brand, it will offer a more elevated experience due to its location in a major international city and go by the name wineLAIR, Hess said.

Located next to the Ritz Carlton in DC's upscale West End, the 5,500-square-foot space will be staffed and operate between the hours of 11 a.m and 2 a.m.

wineLAIR DC. Courtesy WineLAIR

In addition to enjoying wines with friends in the dark-paneled, leather-couch-filled space, members will be able to order wine from the bar as well as charcuterie boards, cheese plates, and dishes prepared in partnership with local bistro RIS.

wineLAIR DC. Courtesy WineLAIR

In addition to enjoying wines with friends in the dark-paneled, leather-couch-filled space, members will be able to order wine from the bar as well as charcuterie boards, cheese plates, and dishes prepared in partnership with local bistro RIS.

Membership starts at $300 per month plus a $5,000 initiation fee for a 52-bottle wine locker, 2 members' cards, and 3 guest passes.

wineLAIR DC. Courtesy WineLAIR

Like its European counterparts, wineLAIR's 358 climate-controlled lockers will be visible from behind bars for members to admire.

wineBANK Wien. Courtesy wineBANK

The DC space also plans to host socially distanced events led by top winemakers. Previous wineBANK events have included appearances by Axe Gillery, export manager of Champagne Pol Roger, one of the world's most prestigious Champagne brands and a supplier of the British Royals.

wineBANK Wien. Courtesy wineBANK

The DC space also plans to host socially distanced events led by top winemakers. Previous wineBANK events have included appearances by Axe Gillery, export manager of Champagne Pol Roger, one of the world's most prestigious Champagne brands and a supplier of the British Royals.

When the pandemic hit and sent Europe into lockdown, new membership applications came to a halt and Hess was uncertain about the company's future, he told Business Insider.

wineBANK Rheingau. Courtesy wineBANK

When the pandemic hit and sent Europe into lockdown, new membership applications came to a halt and Hess was uncertain about the company's future, he told Business Insider.

But since lockdowns lifted, sales have been booming, Hess said. He attributes this to people wanting to get out of their homes and socialize with friends in a safe way.

Courtesy wineBANK

WineBANKs are semi-private locations, which create a sense of security, he told Business Insider.

wineBANK Köln. Courtesy wineBANK

Hess views the current success of his Europe business as a good sign for the DC opening.

wineBANK Rheingau. Courtesy wineBANK

"I could imagine that we will experience a similar situation [to Europe] where people look for something which is not public, but still want to go out and meet people," he told Business Insider.

wineBANK Pfalz. Courtesy wineBANK

"I could imagine that we will experience a similar situation [to Europe] where people look for something which is not public, but still want to go out and meet people," he told Business Insider.

A look inside Trump's relationship with Oracle cofounder Larry Ellison, who hosted a Trump fundraiser months before his firm reportedly bid for TikTok

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A swanky European social club where members pay thousands to store wine in speakeasy-like lounges is opening its first stateside location in DC — take a look inside

Opening a new business in the middle of a pandemic presents a unique set of challenges, but winemaker and entrepreneur Christian Hess isn't deterred.

Back in 2009 on the heels of the financial crisis, he launched wineBANK Frankfurt, a members-only space where people could store and drink their wine in a speakeasy-like space.

Though the global economic outlook was dire and his bank skeptical, Hess felt in his gut that people would pay for access, he told Business Insider.

A decade later, wineBANK now has nine locations across Germany, Austria, Switzerland. A 10th location — the first one stateside — is set to open in Washington, DC, on September 8.

Hess describes wineBANK as a mix between a wine storage facility, private members club, events space, and luxury travel network.

Members pay between $120 and $1,540 per month, plus an initiation fee, for storage in a 'home' wineBANK depending on the location and can access any of the brand's international locations when traveling.

Each of the existing locations in Europe is accessible 24/7 by key card. The wineBANKs are made up of climate-controlled wine storage lockers plus wine tasting stations and lounge areas decorated with designer furniture.

The allure of wineBANK is that it offers a refined space for drinking wine without the need to make reservations, Hess told Business Insider. If members wanted to head to a wineBANK at 3 a.m. and turn on music to woo a special someone or wind down from a great night, they could.

While the DC location will have all the trappings of the wineBANK brand, it will offer a more elevated experience due to its location in a major international city and go by the name wineLAIR, Hess said.

Located next to the Ritz Carlton in DC's upscale West End, the 5,500-square-foot space will be staffed and operate between the hours of 11 a.m and 2 a.m.

In addition to enjoying wines with friends in the dark-paneled, leather-couch-filled space, members will be able to order wine from the bar as well as charcuterie boards, cheese plates, and dishes prepared in partnership with local bistro RIS.

Membership starts at $300 per month plus a $5,000 initiation fee for a 52-bottle wine locker, 2 members' cards, and 3 guest passes.

Like its European counterparts, wineLAIR's 358 climate-controlled lockers will be visible from behind bars for members to admire.

The DC space also plans to host socially distanced events led by top winemakers. Previous wineBANK events have included appearances by Axe Gillery, export manager of Champagne Pol Roger, one of the world's most prestigious Champagne brands and a supplier of the British Royals.

When the pandemic hit and sent Europe into lockdown, new membership applications came to a halt and Hess was uncertain about the company's future, he told Business Insider.

But since lockdowns lifted, sales have been booming, Hess said. He attributes this to people wanting to get out of their homes and socialize with friends in a safe way.

WineBANKs are semi-private locations, which create a sense of security, he told Business Insider.

Hess views the current success of his Europe business as a good sign for the DC opening.

"I could imagine that we will experience a similar situation [to Europe] where people look for something which is not public, but still want to go out and meet people," he told Business Insider.