Port Noir wine & martini bar offers options in Lockport
An interview with David Rickerd, owner of Port Noir wine & martini bar in Lockport.
Q: Describe the business.
A: We are a cozy wine and martini bar that serves delicious appetizers, desserts and artisan pizza & flatbreads.
Q: How did the business start?
A: I have always wanted to open up an entertainment venue that offers good food and drinks in a cozy atmosphere. Similar to old style coffee shops, I pictured people would migrate to study, get creative, or find conversation with other patrons while enjoying a decent night life with fun activities and live entertainment.
While traveling I found Lockport, and I just fell in love with this town. I saw there was a wine bar for sale and decided to look around while exploring the area. The following months I could not get the place out of my head and all the possibilities. I took a gamble and bought it. We have been going strong for a year since.
Q: What's the history of the building?
A: It was a bank in 1907 called the First National Bank of Lockport, and it is now a historical building. When entering you will see remnants from the past such as one of the original teller windows, a drinking fountain, and one of the old bank vaults in the basement. Some say it's "haunted", but I'm thinking the ghosts like what I'm doing.
Q: How did you come up with the name?
A: It took me a month, give or take. I had so many names that friends have shot down such as, "The Gentle Cat," "Driftwood Lounge," or my favorite "Buzzcraft Café." They suggested that I relate to the street names, which the location is on State and 9th. So, playing around with the word nine, I thought of the word noir, and started playing with it - Noir on 9th or Noir Street Lockport. Then my friend, who was with me, said "Port (Lockport) Noir." That was it. I loved it.
Q: Tell us about the venue.
A: On Wednesdays and Thursdays, we offer special events that are open to the public. On Fridays and Saturdays, you will always see live bands that start around 8 p.m. Sundays have a great open mic jam that starts around 7 p.m. Every second Friday is when we do our monthly wine tastings. We have happy hour Wednesday through Saturday from 4 - 7 p.m. We serve delicious, house-made appetizers, creative mixed drinks, desserts, and (of course) exclusive wine.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself?
A: I am a father of three from Los Angeles, California. On the west coast, I was involved in real estate investments, and dabbled in music, media and art. I've had many jobs as a disc jockey, directing videos, promotions and throwing events.
I came to the Midwest because I have always felt something calling me out here.
Yeah, the weather is not Cali, but I'm starting to feel at home here.
Q: Tell us some interesting facts about the venue that most people may not know?
A: We get a wide variety of people that come into our establishment; different is our normal. People travel from all over to play and enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality. Not only are we a wine and martini bar, we have a unique, scratch kitchen.
Q: Tell us about your wine membership.
A: We offer a pretty good deal; $24.99 a month for a single's membership or $34.99 for a couple's membership. It includes a complimentary monthly wine tasting, customized member wineglass, $30 credit toward wine purchases at the tastings and $10 off per wine bottle purchased in house.