Peoples Wine

Note: The bar has closed, but the wine store is still open. Check their Instagram for the latest updates. Like a mermaid or an unfinished play, Peoples Wine Bar in The Market Line at Essex Crossing has two parts. The first is a wine store that looks like a natural wine museum from the year 2055, and the second is a bar with about 20 seats and a condensed list of interesting wines by the glass. They’re both projects from the Wildair and Contra people, which means the snacks are unsurprisingly delicious and slightly expensive. Prioritize the juicy, stuffed chicken wings and chocolate hazelnut cream puff.

Despite the fact that the open-air space looks out onto an Ample Hills stall, Peoples feels a lot cooler than what typically happens in the bottom of a food hall. Partly because of the minimalist setting and snacks, and partly because of the store component. On your way out, you can pick up a bottle of anything you tried at the bar. So you don’t have to worry about tracking it down later or fiendishly taking pictures on Vivino. Check out Peoples if you’re interested in natural wine generally, or you want a glass of chilled red to decompress after a movie at the Regal next door.