Tipsy Blackbird: A Little Bit Sexy, A Little Bit Eclectic, and Exactly What Kitsap Needed
Tipsy Blackbird is quickly becoming a staple in the Kitsap scene, and I understand why people kept telling me about it. It is sexy and eclectic, but at the same time it feels comfortable and inviting. There is an energy there that we do not always get to experience on this side of the water. It feels like the kind of place where you can grab a drink with your best friend, but it is also the kind of place where you could walk in alone, sit down with a glass of wine, and possibly leave having met a new best friend. Tara and her business partner, Celeste, have created something that feels special, and they are adding another gem to a Bremerton landscape that is changing in some really exciting ways. When you get two besties together that go into a business like this one, you can just feel it through every single detail.
The funny part is that neither Tara nor Celeste originally planned on owning a wine bar. Tara jokes that the entire thing was a case of “accidental manifestation.” They were customers of the wine bar that previously occupied the space, and they loved the location and believed it had the potential to become something really special for the community. They would sit together and talk about the events they would have if it were theirs, the changes they would make, and the ways they could make the space even more inviting. They imagined creating a place where people could come together and always feel welcome, but they never actually believed those conversations would turn into reality. When the opportunity eventually presented itself, they decided to take the chance and jump into it together.
The decision to purchase the business came in October, which gave Tara and Celeste only two months to get everything in order before taking over management on December 1. To make the situation even more intense, they took over just four days before Krampusnacht, one of Bremerton’s busiest events of the year. When they walked into their new business, they had only 15 wine glasses, no product, and one staff member. They suddenly had to create a menu, purchase wine, rearrange the entire space, learn how to use Square, figure out food preparation, learn their new products, and somehow be ready to welcome customers through the doors.
They were also doing all of this while continuing their full time careers. Tara works as a director in marketing operations, while Celeste works in real estate. Neither woman had experience owning a business, so they were learning almost everything as they went. Their husbands, friends, and families stepped in and helped wherever they could, and Tara still looks back at those first weeks wondering exactly how they managed to pull it all together.
Tara and Celeste self financed the business, pulling money from their own savings to purchase the bar and everything they needed to get it running. They were taking a financial chance on themselves and on an idea they believed could become something meaningful. There is something powerful about watching two women decide that they believe enough in an idea, and in each other, to put their own money and energy behind it and see what they can build.
Bremerton was an obvious choice because it is home, but Tara’s love for the city goes much deeper than simply living there. She describes Bremerton as gritty, artistic, unique, and filled with a wonderful blend of people. One of the things she loves most is the number of women owned businesses and the supportive network that has developed among the downtown business community. Instead of viewing one another simply as competition, many of these businesses understand that when one succeeds, it can help bring people downtown and create opportunities for everyone.
That sense of community is important because Bremerton has carried a reputation for a long time that does not always reflect what the city is becoming today. There is a new energy growing downtown, and businesses like Tipsy Blackbird are helping create it. Tara loves being part of Bremerton during this period of change and watching the city become something new and unexpected while still holding on to the character that makes it Bremerton.
When it came to actually owning and operating a wine bar, Tara freely admits she knew very little about the ownership side of the business. She had worked as a server for about 10 years, but that was 20 years ago. Celeste had worked in hospitality management before raising her children, also about 20 years ago. Beyond those experiences, they had to learn almost everything about running their own business as they went along.
When I asked Tara what her experience as a woman business owner has been like, she described it as “70% fun, joy and self growth, and 30% complete terror, anxiety and self doubt.” I think there are probably a lot of women who will understand exactly what she means. Tara openly admits that she struggles with imposter syndrome and regularly questions whether she is capable of doing this. At the same time, owning Tipsy Blackbird has helped her develop confidence that she did not necessarily have before.
Whenever those doubts become particularly loud, something seems to happen that reminds Tara and Celeste why they started. It might be a compliment from a customer, a positive review, a successful event, or simply someone walking through the door and choosing to spend their evening with them. Those moments remind Tara that they are building something people care about and that maybe they really can do this.
Their partnership is also a huge part of what makes the business work. Tara describes Celeste as someone who has an incredible ability to be confident, honest, and straightforward while still being extremely likable. When difficult conversations need to happen or someone needs to be assertive, Celeste often takes the lead. Tara jokes that Celeste is simply very difficult to say no to, which has turned out to be a useful quality in business.
The friendship between the two women has also helped them navigate the financial pressure and uncertainty that comes with owning a small business. They communicate every day and constantly support one another. Tara believes in Celeste’s abilities and wants her to succeed just as much as Celeste wants the same for her. When one of them begins doubting herself, the other one is there to remind her why they started and why they should keep going.
For Tara, the most rewarding part of Tipsy Blackbird has been the community they have created inside those walls. She loves seeing people choose their space for different parts of their lives. Someone might come in for live music, while someone else comes in to read a book. Couples choose it for date night, friends meet there for wine, and customers come for paint classes and other events. Sometimes people simply walk through the door after having a difficult day and need somewhere comfortable to sit for a while. Knowing that Tipsy Blackbird can bring a little joy into someone’s day is something Tara does not take for granted.
Customers may see the wine, food, music, and events, but they do not necessarily see everything happening behind the scenes. After Tara finishes her regular workday, she begins working on marketing plans, social media posts, website updates, and menu changes. Celeste handles inventory, paperwork, and emails. They meet regularly to discuss upcoming events and schedules, attend wine tastings with distributors, pick up supplies, and each work around three shifts a week depending on staffing needs.
Even choosing what goes onto the menu requires careful thought. Tara and Celeste want Tipsy Blackbird to offer quality products while still being a place that people with different budgets can enjoy. They intentionally offer different price points, including a $9 wine, happy hour options, and affordable snacks. Someone can come in during happy hour and enjoy a fantastic glass of wine and something to eat for under $15. On Tuesdays, they also host an industry night where customers can order a bottle of wine or bubbles with one of their charcuterie boards and receive 20 percent off.
The menu itself has taken plenty of trial and error. Celeste and Jim are serious food lovers who have lived around the world and have high standards for the wine and food they bring into the bar. Tara has her favorites when distributors come in for tastings, but she admits that she usually leaves the final decision to Celeste. Celeste has taken wine classes and has a deeper knowledge of grapes, regions, and the different wines they serve, making her the person customers want to talk to when they are interested in learning more about what is in their glass.
Like every new business owner, Tara has also learned some lessons the difficult way. One of the biggest involved keeping an employee who was not the right fit because she liked the person and genuinely wanted to help them succeed. Eventually, she realized that you can really care about someone and still recognize that they are not right for a particular job. Holding on too long does not necessarily help the employee or the business. After bringing in a new team member who was a stronger fit for their culture, Tara realized just how much of a difference the right person can make.
One of the hardest parts of owning Tipsy Blackbird continues to be the unpredictability of small business. One Saturday can be fantastic, and the next can be incredibly quiet without any obvious explanation. They can have a great week, start thinking they can finally breathe, and suddenly find themselves facing a slow stretch. Tara does not pretend that they have completely figured out how to handle those ups and downs because she is not sure any small business owner ever does.
What has changed is their confidence in knowing that a slow day does not automatically mean something is wrong. In the beginning, those quiet days were terrifying for Tara. She remembers being awake at 2:00 in the morning with a voice in her head screaming, “What in the midlife crisis have you done?” Those fears have not disappeared completely, but experience has taught her that even successful and busy businesses have slow days. Sometimes you simply have to keep doing the work, believe in what you are creating, and trust that customers will come back.
Tipsy Blackbird itself has changed dramatically since Tara and Celeste took over. Tara describes what they purchased as a little wine bar that was slowly dying but had enormous potential. They completely rebranded it, updated the wine, beverage, and food menus, moved the bar to the front of the space, and transformed the old bar area in the back into a kitchen. They rearranged the furniture and began creating an atmosphere that reflected what they had imagined during all of those conversations before they ever dreamed they would actually own the place.
They also made the intentional decision not to launch with a huge publicity campaign. Tara and Celeste were still learning how to run a business and did not want to overwhelm themselves during those first months. Instead, they allowed word of mouth to spread naturally while they figured things out. That decision seems especially fitting now because word of mouth is exactly how Tipsy Blackbird found its way to me.
When I asked Tara what she would tell another woman in Bremerton who was thinking about opening a restaurant, bar, or small business, her advice was to find your niche, find your passion, and figure out what makes you different. She believes that when you build a business around something that genuinely brings you joy, your customers can feel that joy too. Most importantly, she wants other women to stop doubting themselves, believe they are capable, and give themselves permission to go after the dream they keep thinking about.
There is something happening in Bremerton right now that I think is worth paying attention to. Women owned businesses are helping shape a downtown that feels creative, collaborative, and alive. These women understand that another business succeeding does not have to mean their business loses. When people have more reasons to come downtown, stay for the evening, eat somewhere, shop somewhere, listen to music, and grab a glass of wine, the entire community benefits.
Tipsy Blackbird has become another gem being added to that landscape. It is sexy and eclectic while still feeling welcoming and comfortable. It has the energy of a place where something is happening, but it also feels like somewhere you can settle into a chair with a glass of wine and stay awhile. Tara and Celeste have created a space where you can bring your best friend, meet someone new, attend an event, enjoy a date, or simply walk through the doors by yourself and know that you are welcome.
I am especially excited that my relationship with Tara, Celeste and Tipsy Blackbird is not ending with this article. Tara and I are already talking about working together and creating events, and I cannot wait to see where that takes us. There is something exciting about women finding ways to support each other, collaborate, and bring people together, and I have a feeling there is much more ahead for Tipsy Blackbird.
What makes this story even better is knowing how it started. Two friends sat inside a wine bar they enjoyed and talked about everything they would do if it were theirs. They imagined events, pictured a more inviting space, and talked about what the place could become without really believing they would ever be the ones responsible for making it happen. Then the opportunity came, and instead of talking themselves out of it, they took the chance.
Sometimes that is how something special begins. You imagine what could be, you take a chance when the opportunity appears, and somewhere between the fear, the 2:00 in the morning doubts, the long days, the wine tastings, the paperwork, and the people who keep walking through the door, you realize that the thing you once only talked about has become something real.
Make sure to go and Make sure to check out the website, follow the socials and add all the things going on so you don’t miss out. I hope to see you there soon! Tell the girls I said hi!
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