A Cozy Apartment Turned Intimate Wine Bar: APT 115

APT 115 offers an intimate space for discovering and enjoying the work of passionate winemakers from around
the world.

Words by Janine Stankus Photos by Baptiste Despois

Music and wine have a lot in common, according to Joe Pannenbacker. Joe is an Austin-born musician who’s played in multiple bands over the years. He currently runs APT 115: a cozy-chic wine bar on East 7th Street. 

“They’re both artists’ creations, right? Both consumed by people,” he explains of his love for both music and wine. Joe cultivated an appreciation for wine while working in the service industry. He remembers his first taste of “fancy” wine at 21 years old. “It just blew my mind,” he recalls. “I didn’t know wine could taste like that.” While certainly an oenophile, he’s mostly self-taught and doesn’t much subscribe to formal titles (like “sommelier”). He says half-cheekily, “I like to be against the grain.”

APT 115 originally was conceived as a neighborhood spot where friends could come drink and listen to records and has naturally evolved into a true wine bar. The wine list, which currently boasts over 400 varieties from all over the world, focuses on high quality and small production. 

The bar’s overall vibe matches Joe’s original vision: intimate, eclectic, and a cozy atmosphere filled with books and antiques. After suffering flood damage in the ‘snowpocalypse’ of 2021, they ended up redecorating to bring in a bit more brightness. The entire east wall is now covered in a vibrant wallpaper designed by the legendary composer/musician Brian Eno.  

Joe believes the thing that sets APT 115 apart within the Austin scene is an old-school commitment to service. The staff is close-knit and committed to constant learning and sharing that knowledge with customers. 

But don’t mistake passion for pandering. Joe adds, “A  lot of people think that wine is ‘bougie,’ and you just make a bunch of money. But it’s really the exact opposite. A lot of winemakers put their heart and soul in it and make no money,’ which is another parallel to music, for those who know the struggle.

In that sense, APT 115 is like a cool new underground venue for wine lovers. Slightly off the beaten path, it’s a perfect space for introducing patrons to the creations of winemakers in an accessible way.  

Contact:
2025 E 7^th St., Apt. 115
apartmentonefifteen.com
@apartmentonefifteen