Il Messaggiere - Élan Opens as Late-Night Wine Bar in Honolulu

Élan, a French-inspired wine bar located above Hangang Korean Grill House across from Ala Moana Center in Honolulu, soft opened on Halloween night. For owner Jared Brown, the launch marks the culmination of a long-held ambition to create a specific type of late-night hospitality space.

"I always wanted a spot like this," Brown said. "We missed that; there’s nothing like that here, as far as we know, that caters to those feelings later in the evening in Hawaiʻi."

Brown, whose previous Honolulu ventures include Garibaldi’s, Fat Cheeks, and Little G Café, and who currently operates Katsu Zen at 808 Center, drew inspiration for Élan from a French wine bar in midtown Manhattan. He and his wife, Levina Moy, were regulars at the New York establishment after finishing work around 1 a.m. while living in east Manhattan.

The Manhattan spot, which remained open until 4 a.m., offered an atmosphere Brown described as both "sexy and comforting." It was a place where staff quickly learned patrons' preferences, creating a sense of familiarity that Brown felt was absent in Honolulu’s late-night scene.

Élan features a U-shaped bar with additional cafe-style banquette tables. The cozy interior is designed to accommodate approximately 28 guests. The wine bar operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Current hours run from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday.

Brown emphasized that the interior design and décor were intentional components of the dining experience, alongside the music, food, and wine. He aimed to craft an environment reminiscent of a "French-inflected dive bar from the East Village, back in the day."

The venue’s aesthetic includes American and French funk, disco, and soul music from the 1970s and 1980s. Posters featuring disco, funk, and European pop art adorn the walls, complementing a mural depicting figures partying in Paris. Brown explained that the name "Élan" refers to a combination of liveliness, stylish elegance, and vigor.

The concept emerged after Brown and his team experienced burnout from their previous establishments, Fat Cheeks, which closed in June, and Little G Café, which closed in May. Brown stated they sought a project that would revitalize their passion for hospitality without the loss of intimacy associated with larger-scale venues.

"We wanted a small spot where people around the area or across the Island could hang out as adults, drink and eat, laugh, and have a good time, and give them a little respite from the day," Brown said.

While Brown is French-trained, he describes the food menu as "French-ish" rather than strictly traditional. The menu features à la carte plates designed for sharing, with some items rotating regularly. Brown noted that the menu was created to complement evening dining and wine consumption without pretension.

A defining feature of Élan is its lack of a set wine list. Instead, guests are encouraged to discuss their drink preferences with servers who provide recommendations. The venue houses approximately 160 bottles on-site, primarily French wines, with selections from Italy and Spain.

Brown noted that the "no wine menu" approach has gained traction recently, allowing for greater adaptability in sourcing unique or limited-edition bottles. He compared this flexibility to the constantly changing flavors at Little G Café’s slice shop.

"Life is short; try new things," Brown said. "You don’t have to get the same thing all the time, every day. Maybe that’s your tradition, but save some space for something new."

To support the wine program, Brown hired staff with extensive industry experience. Abraham Kim serves as the wine lead, bringing 30 years of experience from previous roles including sommelier at R. Field Wine Company. The team also collaborates with master sommelier Patrick Okubo to craft wine selections.

On opening night, customer favorites included the roll de crabe ($16), featuring sesame buns with crab and citrus cream; arancini a la truffle blanche ($10), stuffed with mushroom fricassee, Gruyere, herbs, and burnt lemon aioli; and le burger ($19), which featured a 6-ounce patty with caramelized onions, peppercorn cream, and cheddar and Swiss cheeses in a brioche bun.

Larger plates available on the menu include a 16-ounce steak au poivre at market price, ravioles with clam beurre blanc ($17), and poularde vieille ($23), a chicken dish served with maitake mushrooms, tarragon, and chives.

Brown intends for Élan to function as a neighborhood space suitable for both group dining and solo visits. He plans to eventually expand operations to six nights per week.

"Honestly, I just want people to come in, have a good time, laugh loudly, have good conversation, and relax a little bit," Brown said. "This is a space built to have some fun — just have a good time and forget about your worries for a little bit."

Élan is located at 1236 Waimanu St., Honolulu. It is open from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, Tuesday through Saturday.

U.Sparacello--IM