Buddy’s Wine Bar
in Midtown, Ventura

April 9, 2025

We recently had the pleasure of speaking to Alexis Wade, the creator of Buddy’s Wine Bar in Midtown, Ventura. You’re likely already familiar, as it’s just a familiar kind of place. The kind of bar that evokes a ‘Cheers’ style feeling, ‘where everybody knows your name.’ This welcome and approachable style is exactly what Alexis was going for, as well as the roots of how it all began.

“Buddy’s belongs to the people who come. I want it to feel like an extension of your living room,” says Alexis. “Wine can seem unapproachable for people.”

With a background in restaurants, food, and previous pastry chef experience in Los Angeles, Alexis has always had a passion for wine and culinary arts. But as happens in L.A., she found herself working in the film industry. A prop master, and in set design, she honed her wildly creative skills in the art department. She’s a variety-show of knowledge in fabrication, ceramics, and much more, including how to make fake barf for the movies out of psyllium husks, apple juice, and coffee. When covid hit, she looked for a way out of that industry and back to her true love of food and wine. She found herself spending more time with her parents in Oxnard, and loved the relaxed and easygoing nature of Ventura. She couldn’t help but dream of a little neighborhood wine bar, and could see that there was actually room for something like this to take root in midtown Ventura.

The former salon and tanning space became Buddy’s (where tanning beds once stood exactly where the bar is today!), though it took plenty of helping hands to make it happen. Alexis put her creative and artist community to work, and every detail of the bar has been a labor of love and collaboration. From the woodwork, to the art on the walls, she rolled up her sleeves, paid what she could, friends contributed their time and their hearts, and this small business took flight. The name was originally inspired by her favorite childhood toy store—fitting, too, given all the buddies who helped bring the dream to life.

“Buddy’s belongs to the people who come. I want it to feel like an extension of your living room,” says Alexis. “Wine can seem unapproachable for people.”

She simply wanted a space where anyone would feel comfortable to come in the door, and once inside, who knows? Maybe there’s an opportunity to expand your palette and learn something new about wine… or not – that’s fine too. “Approachable, but quality,” is how she describes the experience. Yes, she’s serving hot dogs—but the best hot dogs. She spent weeks taste-testing and perfecting both the dogs and the buns.We’re talking ‘high brow, low brow.’ Alexis had a desire to provide a special and quality experience, but for it to also be financially feasible for people to eat there every week.

Speaking of hot dogs, we can all be excited that she’s currently working on expanding the food menu. This will be an evolving effort, but for now, there are Detroit style pizzas, luscious salads, and sides on the horizon. This neighborhood wine bar just keeps getting better.

Buddy’s is one of the *many* women-owned businesses that have popped up in midtown Ventura over the last few years, and with the endless heart and attention Alexis gives, there will likely be many more to come. “Small businesses are the culture of a small town,” she exclaimed, which is so true. So, whether you’re popping in for a glass, there to see a surprise magic show, or belting out your favorite karaoke song with the support of the entire bar, it’s fun to support this incredible culture-forming Ventura business. Go on in, you’re already a Buddy.