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Eqwine Wine Bar, located at 218 SW 4th Street, is the passion project of Janel Maurer and Kris Hakkila. Maurer, a special education teacher in Redmond, said she opened the bar to create a warm and welcoming space where everyone can find something to enjoy.

The couple travel throughout the region selecting unique and small batch wines making each visit to Eqwine unique. They also host live music most weekend nights.

But the buzz recently is from a new game room added to the bar. Nicknamed “The Parlor,” Hakkila and Maurer hope its just one more space where community members can meet and connect.

The Parlor includes a table of classic and retro games, shuffleboard tables and cozy leather couches. Shop owners said it’s a space for board games, book clubs, or conversation for those hoping to take a step away from the live music in the main space.

A record player has been added to the space along with a collection of mellow tunes. Patrons are welcome to flip through the records available and put on an old favorite or discover something new.

Passersby may also notice a new fixture on the venues inviting patio; a cherry red horse trailer-turned-wine cart. The trailer is a nod to the bar’s origin as a wine cart, its first iteration before the brick-and-mortar location.

Additional seating has been added to the space in preparation for the summer events planned by Maurer and Hakkila. A four-course meal, paired with local wines, takes place the first week of the month. Meals are prepared by local chefs with local ingredients. Seats are limited and reservations can be made by calling or texting 541-527-4419.

The space is open on the First Friday Art Walk each month, which includes live music, extended hours, charcuterie boards and plenty of wine. Charcuterie and bottles of paired wines are also available for pickup, a convenient option for picnickers headed to live music in the parks this summer.

The main space of the bar has recently been rearranged to add more seating for live music events.

Eqwine still offers mobile wine service for special events. The bar itself is available for private events and is ADA accessible. Book clubs and tabletop gaming groups are welcome to utilize the new Parlor space. And like many local restaurants, Eqwine is hiring for summer.