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  4. 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

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 Wiley   

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
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.

Opening a new business in the middle of a pandemic presents a unique set of challenges, but winemaker and entrepreneur Christian Hess isn
wineBANK founder Christian Hess.      Courtesy WineLAIR

Source: 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.

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

Source: wineBANK

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.

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

Source: 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.

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

Source: wineBANK

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

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

Source: 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.

Members pay between $120 and $1,540 per month, plus an initiation fee, for storage in a
wineBANK Köln (Cologne).      Courtesy wineBANK

Source: 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.

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

Four locations — Baden, Pfalz, Rheingau und Cologne — have a "wine by the glass" dispensing fridge for members who don't want to open up a full bottle.

WineBANK employs teams to clean and resupply locations each morning, but the spaces are otherwise self-service.

Source: 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.

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

Source: wineBANK

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.

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

Source: wineBANK

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.

Located next to the Ritz Carlton in DC
wineLAIR DC.      Courtesy WineLAIR

Source: wineBANK

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.

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

Source: wineBANK

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.

Membership starts at $300 per month plus a $5,000 initiation fee for a 52-bottle wine locker, 2 members
wineLAIR DC.      Courtesy WineLAIR

Source: wineBANK

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

Like its European counterparts, wineLAIR
wineBANK Wien.      Courtesy wineBANK

Source: 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.

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
wineBANK Wien.      Courtesy wineBANK

Source: 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.

When the pandemic hit and sent Europe into lockdown, new membership applications came to a halt and Hess was uncertain about the company
wineBANK Rheingau.      Courtesy wineBANK

Source: wineBANK

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.

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

Source: wineBANK

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

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

Source: wineBANK

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

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

Source: 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.

"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

Source: wineBANK

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