Chris Wolfe, Andy Smith, and Brad Lauck created Anjou, situated in a quaint nook on Woodburn Avenue that once housed Woodburn Dry Cleaners. The three already had another project in the works in the Walnut Hills, but when Urban Sites came to them about the Woodburn space, they instantly saw its potential.

The cocktail menu at Anjou lives up to the praises it receives. The components are intriguing, the names are witty, and certainly, they are frequently recognized. Additionally, everything appears enjoyable. Anjou is charming in every way without being pretentious. It does have a broad philosophical basis, though, as the bar’s name honors King Henry VI’s wife, Margaret of Anjou.

The trio wanted the concept, food, and design to have a graceful aesthetic, presenting a contrasting experience to the traditional dark, bourbon-drenched cocktail bars that were dominant. This was motivated by the brightness and airiness of the room. Similar to the cafés seen throughout Europe, this would be a location for discussions, celebrations, and forming new relationships.

While some of the beverages incorporate botanical ingredients, the floral theme is present in a few of them, at the very least in terms of color and composition. Wine, beer, and zero-proof drinks are all available at Anjou. You can try their Once An Island, a zero-proof cocktail made with masala, pomegranate, spiced maple, ginger, N/A bitter, House Yuzu, and smoked cinnamon.