Kennedy added that the team hopes to host occasional food pop-ups and backyard events, while keeping the day-to-day experience casual and neighborhood-focused.
“We want it to feel like Cheers, right?” Kennedy said. “You walk in and see familiar faces. You know somebody there. That’s the whole idea.”
Nightwatch will be part of what Kennedy sees as a growing pocket of Grand Central, with newer arrivals like Cheeky’s, Slim Charmer, Tampa Bay Drinkery, and Coastal House Vintage joining established neighborhood spots like Bandit Coffee Co., Baba, Casita Taqueria, Wild Child, Mutts & Martinis, Cappy’s Pizza, and Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe.
“We’re definitely betting on this neighborhood,” Kennedy said. “It really is just like an extension of Kenwood. Most of the people that hang out on this stretch of Central Avenue live nearby.”
According to Kennedy, the plan was always to eventually open both a wine shop and a separate bar.
“The shop is kind of the daytime component,” he explained. “You grab a bottle, head home, go to the beach, whatever. Nightwatch is what happens after dark.”
Kennedy said the goal is to create a place that feels approachable.