Cork and Thorn originally opened in the Summerlin-adjacent Tivoli Village in 2016, but the wine-and-flower bar has made a new home in Downtown Las Vegas. After two and a half years in the original location, owner Randi Garrett moved her business into the Arts District with a full liquor license (the old location only served beer and wine). The doors reopened six months before the onset of the pandemic.
Cork and Thorn owner Randi Garrett
Garrett, who originally launched her own floral design and decor company, Naakiti Floral Designs, 20 years ago, said she wanted to do something that embraced her other passion. “I love wine,” Garrett says with a laugh. “Like, I love it. If I could drink that instead of eat, I’d be happy.”
The flower and wine enthusiast says she wanted to teach people about both of her hobbies at the same time—thus, the idea for Cork and Thorn was born. Similar to a paint-and-sip class, Garrett can use the venue to teach people how to make floral bouquets and instruct guests about different varietals, grapes and tannins. In addition to the classes, Garrett began booking live music, making Cork and Thorn a place not just to imbibe but to hear the sounds of talented local musicians, too.
Her concept was off to a good start when COVID-19 swept through the United States.
“Up until about a month or two ago it was pretty rough,” Garrett says. “You can only have 25 people in here, and you can only do so much.”
Ironically, despite the downturn in business, Garrett says Cork and Thorn might ultimately benefit from the past year’s strangeness. Because the venue also has a restaurant license, it stayed open while many businesses in the area shuttered. Eventually, Garrett started booking events again, with Bourbon and Blues night on Wednesdays featuring Skye Dee Miles (formerly of Rose. Rabbit. Lie.), R&B with the M.O.B Band and Black Rayn on Thursdays, an open-mic poetry night on Fridays, R&B nights with Alli Starr on Saturdays and neo-soul on Sundays.
“I have people who walk by and are like, ‘We heard the music outside. We didn’t know what this was, but when you walk in, it’s so cool’,” Garrett says. “I like that we’re kind of hidden. People had a lot of doubts about [the location], but I was like, ‘They’ll find me.’ And they have.”
The venue also hosts Sunday cigar-day parties in tandem with Badd Ash, featuring a mobile cigar lounge. “When you go in, it’s like a man cave in there,” Garrett says. “It’s so cool.”
Garrett is now at work planning additional music events, which could soon include jazz and open-mic singer nights. Flower classes can be booked online.
“I want Cork and Thorn to be a place where everyone wants to come,” Garrett says. “Not a club scene, but a safe vibe with good energy. I want them to say, ‘When you walk in here, it’s a little gem.”
Cork and Thorn Wednesday, 5-10 p.m.; Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Friday & Saturday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Sunday 3-10 p.m. 70 W. Imperial Ave., 702-823-2678.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
