The Blind Monk wine bar on Evernia to move to larger digs

The Blind Monk wine bar and tapas restaurant has closed its Evernia Street location as it preps for a move to a new, larger West Palm Beach spot later in the month.

Sometime in the next few weeks, the popular wine bar is expected to open its doors on the ground floor of the AKA West Palm, a luxury extended-stay hotel at 695 S. Olive Ave.

Blink Monk owner Ben Lubin said construction still is being finalized at The Blink Monk's new location, so a firm opening date isn't yet available.

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The new Blind Monk location is a big leap for Lubin, a former U.S. Marine captain. In 2010, after returning to his hometown following tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, Lubin decided to open a little wine and tapas bar at 410 Evernia St. on the ground floor of The Whitney condominium.

Fast forward a dozen years and The Blind Monk has become a beloved gathering place for both residents and visitors.

Then came an eviction threat last year by Lubin's landlord, an entity owned by Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene. The eviction action mushroomed into a bigger contract dispute after Lubin filed a lawsuit against the landlord. The litigation remains ongoing.

Lubin, who hadn't planned to move his wine bar, decided he needed to find a more stable situation for himself and his staff. Adversity created opportunity, and Lubin soon discovered the larger space in the new AKA Hotel.

More: The Blind Monk wine bar plans move to new AKA West Palm hotel

New space will give The Blink Monk more room for expanded offerings

The site is triple the size of the existing location, allowing Lubin to take his concept to a new level.

The larger kitchen means Lubin can offer a full restaurant menu, transforming The Blind Monk from a small wine bar to a small bistro. The bigger space also permits a full bar and cocktail program, instead of only wine and beer now offered at its current location. Patrons soon will be able to dine outside on a covered terrace rather than sidewalk seating.

The wine bar's move from its current location is not without risk, Lubin acknowledged.

"People that are bummed (about the move) loved the old place, and they are worried the new place is not going to be the same," Lubin said. "I try to reassure them it's still me. We're still extending the same warm hospitality that makes this a go-to neighborhood place."

Another change: The Blind Monk has a loyal following at its space in The Whitney, while the new AKA West Palm is in a different part of the city, Lubin said.

But he said residents at the nearby Two City Plaza and The Prado condominiums already are eager to patronize the new site. And he's optimistic about other projects slated for this section of the city.

The ambitious new spot also will allow The Blind Monk to be the food and beverage outlet for the AKA hotel. Plans are to start with dinner, then add lunch and then breakfast, to be served seven days a week.

Alexandra Clough is a business writer and columnist at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at [email protected]. Twitter: @acloughpbp. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Blind Monk expanding as it moves to a new location West Palm