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Where the Week Bends: Vinyl, Cocktails, and the Wolfskill Mood

A wall of liquor bottles back lit with a marquee above that says Tonight We Are Gonna
The wall of liquor bottles back lit, with a marquee that displays rotating messages, sets the tone of the ambient and beautiful interior of W Wolfskill on Tuesday Nov 4 Stephen Day
  • Value
  • Service
  • Food
  • Drinks

Overall Thoughts

W. Wolfskill continues to stand out as one of Riverside’s most thoughtfully run cocktail bars. Prices are fair for the level of craft, landing at an 8 for value. Service earns a strong 9, thanks to bartenders who are both skilled and personable. They’re full of interesting trivia and quick to share stories about the beverages they pour, if you’re interested in hearing them. The food, rated 8, feels well above typical bar fare, with dishes like the shrimp taquitos showing both creativity and restraint. The drinks, a full 10, remain the highlight—balanced, inventive, and presented with genuine care. Together, it all makes W. Wolfskill one of the city’s best spots to spend an evening, whether you’re there for the vinyl, the cocktails, or just the company.

Tuesday nights at W. Wolfskill have their own rhythm. The bottles on the backlit shelves glow under the words “TONIGHT WE ARE GONNA,” setting a mood that’s equal parts neighborhood bar and downtown hideaway. It’s “Bring Your Own Vinyl” night, hosted by DJ Dropdead, who sets up in a cozy corner of the bar called “The Office.” Guests bring their own records, and he builds the playlist around what people bring in. The space feels relaxed and personal, with warm lighting, wood-paneled walls, and a steady mix of conversation and music.

Adult beverages sit atop the bar at W Wolfskill on Nov 4
A Tulsa Turnaround and Chiquitas Demise sit on the bar at W Wolfskill on Nov 4 an icon of a camera Stephen Day

The bar menu matches that energy. Kad ordered the Chiquita’s Demise, the featured cocktail of the week at thirteen dollars. It’s built from mezcal, Jamaican rum, pomegranate, banana, hibiscus, lime, cinnamon, and bitters. The drink balances smoky, sweet, and tart without ever feeling heavy. The Tulsa Turnaround leans the other way, mixing rye, barley whiskey, Benedictine, pecan, and peach for something smooth, rich, and just a little spicy. Wolfskil prices its signature cocktails at fifteen dollars across the board, which feels fair given the quality and care behind each one.

Shrimp taquitos four for seventeen Theyre filled with black tiger shrimp topped with cabbage crme frache and salsa macha at W Wolfskill on Nov 4
Shrimp taquitos, four for seventeen Theyre filled with black tiger shrimp, topped with cabbage, crme frache, and salsa macha at W Wolfskill on Nov 4 an icon of a camera Stephen Day

We paired the drinks with the shrimp taquitos, four for seventeen. They’re filled with black tiger shrimp, topped with cabbage, crème fraîche, and salsa macha. The flavors are layered and balanced, with just enough heat to wake up the palate.

A DJ spins tracks behind a desk with a sign that says OFFICE with a guest sitting on the couch listening
DJ Dropdead works in his office, creating the vibe and spinning the vinyl guests bring with them, at W Wolfskill on Nov 4 an icon of a camera Stephen Day

By the time the records switched sides, the crowd had settled into a calm groove. A few people leaned over the bar to talk about the music, others just watched the turntable spin. It’s the kind of night that doesn’t need to be loud to feel alive.

Front door of Wolfskill bar
The exterior of W Wolfskill bar on Main St Riverside in Downtown on Nov 29, 2023 an icon of a camera Stephen Day

W. Wolfskill’s “Bring Your Own Vinyl” gives Riverside a delightful midweek hangout where the focus stays on good music, good drinks, and an easy atmosphere. It’s a reminder that sometimes the best nights out are the ones that don’t try too hard.

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Stephen Day
Photographer
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