The Society Wine Bar Story
Jayme Kosar is passionate about spreading the culture of wine nationwide
The Society Wine Bar founder had her sights set on retirement after a successful business career. She soon changed her mind when she found an untapped opportunity that capitalized on her love for wine, a love instilled in her growing up and helping run her family’s Northern Italian restaurant in Miami Beach.
“My father was the chef and ran the back of the house, and my mother ran the front of the house,” Jayme says. “I grew up learning to love and appreciate wine and wine culture. Wine education has always been a passion for me and one of my great first loves.”
She decided to turn her passion for wine into a dream come true by opening the Ybor City Wine Bar in December 2012 with partner Michael Boehme. Located in an intimate corner in the heart of Tampa’s vibrant historic district, the wine bar grew from a single vision – an intense passion and love of fine wines.
Influenced by Miami chic, Ybor has brought the ultimate in wine bar experiences to the Tampa Bay Area and the downtown scene of historic Ybor City. The Ybor location quickly became a hot destination for locals and tourists, recognized by respected industry publication, The Tasting Panel, as “an instant classic.”
The elegant and chic vibe at Society Wine Bar was contagious, and popularity snowballed due to Jayme and her friendly staff who created a fun party-like atmosphere and paired in-depth knowledge with a passion for wine. In 2016, in response to the popularity of this first wine bar investment, Jayme and her team opened the second location in Tampa’s emerging Seminole Heights neighborhood which has also received rave reviews and built a large fan base.
“My vision nationwide is to expand the culture of wine to your society, your community, your city,” Jayme says. “This is a concept that can work in any market. There are wine lovers and drinkers all over. Wine is cultural, it’s hip, it’s trendy, it’s fun, and it pairs well with food.”
With 200 wines by the glass, our wine list is far more extensive than the primary grape varietals that are common. Customers can explore varietals and learn about grapes they’ve never tasted. “There are so many wonderful, small boutique producers that are doing amazing things with unique wines and Society Wine Bar is the gateway to this culture of wine,” Jayme says. “We have created a vibrant community where wine lovers of all levels can feel at home,” Jayme says. “We offer an upscale, chic and elegant alternative to a bar. There is also sex appeal to wine. It’s fun and mysterious. It’s truly art in a glass.”
