Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael McCann.
Michael, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I am from Chicago and I absolutely love the city and neighborhood vibe of living there. When I moved to South Florida, I recognized a need for more hip and cool places to go to eat, drink, and relax. There are great places in Wynwood, Brickell, and South Beach, but not so much outside of those areas, which is where I live! And I really don’t want to spend anymore time driving on the Palmetto than I absolutely have to!! In Chicago every neighborhood has its own great cool places to go hang out, get a nice glass of wine, but it’s not that way here. My only options to go out whilst staying close to home were chain restaurants. So I wanted to change that. I have a background as both a Sommelier and Educator. As an Advanced Sommelier I have worked at and with some very nice places in South Beach and surrounding, so I wanted to bring my knowledge of the industry and passion for wine forward to my own place Vacillate.
As an Educator, I worked as both a public school teacher and a college professor. Vacillate is a merger of both of these passions. Not only is it a great place to come and relax with friends or loved ones, it’s also a relaxed environment to learn more about wine, without the stuffy-ness or pressure that often comes with that. We are very laid back. Don’t know anything about wine? That doesn’t matter, I’m happy to help navigate the (oftentimes confusing) world of wine. I give monthly seminars on wine to teach people more about it. I am always hanging around the wine bar, talking with customers, chatting about wine. I also still try to keep fresh with my teaching by offering free English and Citizenship classes periodically at the bar. Vacillate is a work of passion for me. I love it so much. Meeting great people, talking about wine, and having a good time. I am so happy that people have taken well to us in the neighborhood. We have yet to be open a whole year, and already have won Best Wine Bar in Miami, from the Miami New Times. I am excited to see what the future holds for Vacillate.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Of course not! It has been and still is, a LOT of hard work. It is not easy being a small business owner. There are a lot of elements at play. I am also a first time restauranteur. Being your own boss is great, but it’s a lot of hard work and responsibility. It’s a 24 hour a day job with very little breaks. Your business is your baby, you have to take care of it. And if that means cleaning toilets at 2am at the end of the night after everyone else has gone home, if thats what needs to be done, thats what you do. I am a very hands on owner, I am always around to help in any way. If there is something I don’t know, I find an answer or solution to the problem.
Almost everything, I am learning as I go. It’s a good thing I am a quick study. I’m thankful for Google, it’s been very helpful to me! Don’t know something, Google it! This business is a family business. So most importantly I wouldn’t be anywhere without the help of my husband and mother-in-law who, although they do not deal with the day to day goings ons, are always available to listen to the issues and concerns we are having and help out in any way possible. My mother-in-law has even shown up on very busy nights to help out, clear tables, serve beers, whatever needs to be done!
What should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
At Vacillate Wine Bar we pride ourselves in catering to everybody. All are welcome. We specialize in hand curated boutique wines selected by the owner, and Advanced Sommelier, Mike. Most of the wines we have, you will not find elsewhere. Trust that these wines have been chosen for you, picked out to appeal to your every taste in wine. We have well over 100 different labels of wine, you’re certain to find something you like. Having trouble making a choice? Ask for Mike, he’s always around to help. Also our well trained and well versed staff is here to help you as well. They drink a lot of wine, when they are not working, and are happy to help you! We have a great tapas style menu that is Spanish, Italian, and French-inspired, good foods to go with the good wines! People rave about our Melted Brie, with honey, fig, walnut, and apricot.
We also use fig in another signature dish, Meatballs in Tomato Fig Sauce. Sweet and Savory Deliciousness. We have Charcuterie Boards, Flatbreads, Sandwiches, all kinds of food to keep you well fed and happy! Customers often say that walking into Vacillate is like leaving Miami behind and walking into a different city. A cool Parisian cafe, a NYC style wine bar, a speakeasy perhaps? It’s very not Miami like, but that’s what sets us apart and makes us interesting and different. We have events going on throughout the week, Ladies Night with Wine Deals, Sip and Shop Events, Comedy Show Night, Trivia Night, Live Music, Wine and Paint, Wine Tastings, Meet the Winemaker Events, and the list goes on.
We offer Private Events and Parties, Catering, Group Reservations, Corporate Events, Company/Networking Happy Hours, You name it, we are happy to oblige.
Most importantly pride ourselves on outstanding service! We try to learn your name when you first visit and greet you by name when you return! (Go ahead give it a try! haha) People come back again and again to see their favorite server, to say hello, talk about their day, and get a good glass of wine with some tapas!
Pricing:
- Lunch Sandwiches. $9.99. Spicy Salami Antipasto Sandwich, or Melted Brie Sandwich with Prosciutto and Fig
- Meatballs in Tomato Fig Sauce. $7
- Melted Brie Board. Served with sliced baguette $14
- Brunch on Sundays! 10am to 3pm. Omelets, White Trash Hash, Bottomless Mimosas for $15
Contact Info:
- Address: 15512 SW 88th Street
Miami FL, 33196
Right on Kendall Drive and 157th. In the same complex as Fudruckers. - Website: www.vacillatewinebar.com
- Phone: 786-332-4765
- Email: mike@vacillatewinebar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vacillatewinebar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vacillatewinebar
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/VacillateWines
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