SEATTLE — Seattle’s first self-pour wine bar is recognizing June with Pride-related pours and art.
Rapport, located on Capitol Hill, is celebrating Pride Wine Month by featuring an array of LGBTQ+ winemakers and Queer-owned wineries.
"We're committing 10% of profits from those sales to The Trevor Project, which is just a great organization,” said general manager Lewil Shedd. “It's important for our community. It's an important community to me."
Customers buy pre-paid cards and use them to pour their own wine, from one ounce to a full glass. Including the LGBTQ+ selection, there are 80 wines to choose from.
"I get responses from my friends and other customers that the best part, is I can taste as many wines as I want without having to commit,” Shedd said. “We're great for people who already know a lot about wine because we have a high-end, rare wine selection. But also, people who are just learning about wine."
Rapport also showcases and sells the work of local artists, many of whom are students at nearby Gage Academy of Art. In June, the featured pieces are predominantly by Queer artists.
"In traditional settings, galleries will take anywhere from 30-50% commission, and here we take nothing. So, 100% goes directly to the artists or whichever charity they're donating to,” said curator Jenny Danger. "It's like an energy exchange. We get really cool art and they get to reap the benefits of all their hard work."
Visitors can – and do – buy art right off the walls.
"The artists usually have a QR code on the back of the painting, so as soon as they have their money, they can take the painting right off the wall, and it works out great,” Danger said.
If you’re hungry, Rapport’s menu includes shareable plates like charcuterie and pizza boards, salads and meatballs.
There's a daily happy hour and tasting classes on Tuesday nights. Every first Sunday of the month, the space hosts a Drink and Draw event.
"It's a mix of magic, that's what I would call it,” Danger said. "It is a little place for people to come be social and enjoy things, and I just feel we need a lot of that nowadays."
Rapport is open seven days a week. It’s located at 700 Broadway East.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Email.