Moscow is a transient community. It is a town of wanderers, as students are constantly moving through. There is now a space just for those drifters, dreamers and doers.
After nearly two years of renovation and remodeling, the Wanderers” Tavern is now open. Nicole and Thando Dzowa officially opened their new location April 1.
Originally Wanderers” Tavern was a hookah bar across from City Hall, but now the tavern is a bar for people to enjoy music and participate in the arts, Nicole said. There are music improv nights, open mic nights, karaoke nights and all kinds of daily events.
“We wanted it to be like the taverns of the past,” Nicole said. “A community place to find out what”s going on.”
The relocation and renovation was to increase space and improve their ability to serve high quality drinks and food. Wanderers” right now has craft beers all made in Idaho, and sake cocktails with sake made in Washington, Nicole said. She said their food is made from scratch as much as it can be.
Nicole said Wanderers” is about doing, in all aspects.
“The place really feels most like itself when everyone is here doing what they do,” Nicole said. “It”s nice to see them do a good job and care about what they are doing.”
Nicole said the renovations aren”t quite done. The first floor is the bar and a space where people can participate in arts from music to poetry to any creative endeavor, and upstairs will eventually be an art gallery. Nicole said they plan to create an outdoor beer garden and stage as well.
“It”s really a work of art,” Nicole said. “That”s how we have been treating it.”
Nicole said there will likely a final grand opening when students arrive back in the fall.
Even though there is still work to be done, Nicole said during Finals Week, Wanderers” Tavern will host their 24-hour Shh! Study Sessions. They will be open Tuesday through Thursday all day, serving coffee and pastries.
Nicole said there also might be some surprises throughout the day and night to keep people engaged and awake while they study. Nicole said they will be playing some good music all night and there will be internet access as well.
“This is where the party is at – shhh!” Thando said.
Thando said Wanderers” will be a good, quiet space for students to study. The levels will be kept quiet and people are more than welcome to engage in open conversations about their finals or anything they want, Thando said.
Wanderers” Tavern is located at 310 W 3rd St. and is open daily from 4 p.m. to close.
Wanderers” is a place that needs to be nourished, Nicole said. She said they are grateful for the opportunity to have the space, and for all the wanderers who have wandered through.
“Wanders” is a living entity, a growing entity,” Nicole said. “It has a life of its own.”
Claire Whitley can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Cewhitley24