A Spanish-rooted wine, cocktail, sake and tapas bar is coming to East 11th Street. According to public filings, Tinto plans to open at 1200 E. 11th St., Unit 101.
What Now Austin spoke with Catie Steele, a representative of Tinto and its general manager, who said the bar is targeting a fall opening, likely in September or October, pending construction. Tinto is a globally inspired wine, cocktail, and sake bar, but its concept is rooted in Spanish wine and culture.
The food menu will lean into small, rotating bites meant to evoke travel, including Spanish olives, a pickle plate from a Dripping Springs producer, caviar, Marcona almonds, and Spanish corn nuts. The bar will also offer a once-a-month omakase experience.
The wine program will blend Old World and New World bottles, with Spain at its center, alongside a full sake program, which Steele described as a rarity in Austin outside of Japanese restaurants.
“As a sake sommelier, I really think Austin is going to embrace sake,” Steele told What Now Austin, adding that she hopes to challenge the perception that sake is only served hot or has to accompany a meal. “Sake can be enjoyed just like a glass of wine, just like an Old Fashioned at the end of the night.”
The Spain-forward concept traces back to a trip owner Kris Vermelis took to the country, where he decided he wanted to open a wine and cocktail space in Austin. The interior, designed with input from Vermelis and built out in part by him, will feature a full red Italian marble bar, velvet seating, and wood detailing throughout.
The bar plans to host a sneak-peek event on September 9 with visiting sake brand Brooklyn Kura, featuring sake flights, cocktails, and the full menu ahead of its official opening.
For more information, follow Tinto on Instagram for updates.
