New Interactive Bar Designed to “Ignite All Five Senses” Is Headed to Rock Rose

Rock Rose cocktail bar St. Genevieve is now closed. Its last day was on Sunday, February 3. The now-vacated 11500 Rock Rose Avenue address will become home to a new bar with interactive elements, Wonder Bar, will open in the spring in the Domain Northside area.

Union Venture Group decided to revamp the bar space because they thought it was “time to bring something more approachable and different” to the area. To them, this meant adding “installations that will ignite all five senses,” according to a press release.

There will be interactive bar games “with a twist,” like a big wheel inspired by game show The Price Is Right, where people can spin for prizes like free drinks (presumably, this is touch). Then there will be cocktails and food (taste and probably smell) and other “moments made to inspire,” as the release stated (sight, hearing).

The premise is similar to downtown cocktail bar Academia, where “ambient scents and pheromones” are incorporated, as well there are custom playlists that sync to guests’ heartbeats, mood-enhancing lights, and more.

Union Venture Group is run by Jeff and Darren Van Delden. They also operate nightclub Rose Room, Irish bar Jack and Ginger’s, and rooftop bar 77 Degrees, which are all found on the same block as the former St. Genevieve/forthcoming Wonder Bar. Also under its umbrella are the Park at the Domain and South Lamar, Somersault Innovative Cocktails, and Local Post Pub.

The company expanded Jack to Houston already, and will open a second 77 in that city sometime this year.

This article has been updated to reflect that the Jack and Ginger bar in Houston is already open.

• All Coverage of St. Genevieve [EATX]