Outside, the building resembles a Santa Fe-style squat structure, orange paint caked onto a stucco exterior ringed with ornate metal bars on windows more prevalent than the typical dive bar. The signature exterior feature is clearly the pink cursive neon sign emblazoned with “The Grapevine.” A matching mural makes no mistake as to the name of this particular neighborhood drinking spot, colored spot lights providing a little extra flair during the evening hours.
The vibe inside matches the attracted drinking horde, a mismatched space that has changed over the years, adding layer after layer of paint, decoration, furniture, fixture, an assembled appeal the result of a sale or two here and there as well, notably a pair of vomit-soaked chairs on Craigslist for the paltry sum of $1 apiece. The Grapevine Bar’s first bar area sits just inside a front door emblazoned with “Check Your Attitude At The Door” in Scrabble letters. This is just the first of a two spots to grab a drink, a small room that feels a little bit like an alcohol waiting room.
Ornate drapes set the tone both in this first room and throughout the interior space, deep purple, fringe of course, green paint to set them off and the overall feeling like this is a decorative pillow brought to life. Behind the bar, three frozen drink machines crank out a series of potent cocktails to be pursued with great respect. Color is splashed everywhere here, stained glass-style lamps giving way to reflective glass grapes blending into streamers throughout. Even the bathrooms look like Harry Potter portals, decorative mirrors on either side of complex wood carving on the dividing wall.