Last Friday after work, I stopped by for the soft opening of ¡Salud! by Rowley Farmhouse Ales. As someone who’s permitted many beer events at the City of Santa Fe offices, I am no stranger to the Marcy Street area, and had no issues finding parking. There’s plenty. Relax.

Stepping into the clean and serene space at 105B East Marcy Street, which is right next to The Mud Hut coffee shop, the vibe was chill and relaxed, exactly the headspace I was looking to get into after a long day at the office.

There were just a few people gathered around the newly polished bar top, and a handful of others seated at tables set neatly around the room. Based on the weekend’s social media posts, the rest of Santa Fe would arrive for the grand opening the following day.

After a few minutes of soaking it all in, the stone surfaces, the bright wooden floors, the impeccable lighting, lined up on tracks and emanating from these almost bone-like chandeliers, I kinda felt like I was at a gallery opening, except one where the proprietors actually cared about the drinks being served.

Looking over the three-page bar menu, it was slightly surprising to me that ¡Salud! would shift its focus away from beer and more toward wine and cocktails, but perhaps the new establishment is just keeping up with the times after all.

There are four beers on tap, two from Rowley Farmhouse Ales, including Fields of Rye Saison and Germophile Berliner Weisse, as well as two from La Cumbre; ‘Beer’ for those looking for something light, and a dedicated Project Dank handle for those looking for something with a little more kick.

I ordered a Whiskey Sour and was not at all disappointed, even without egg or aquafaba. The drink was nicely mixed, bright and refreshing, with the local spirit singing in perfect harmony with the citrus notes.

John Rowley explained that the whole cocktail and (rather extensive) mocktail and wine program was carefully created and curated by bartender Kiana Newman, who I was told comes to us from the P.F. Chang’s multiverse, having gone through their rigorous management training program.

“We interviewed a lot of people and she rose to the top. She had the most diverse skill set of everyone,” Rowley said.

And, having also tasted my friend’s Strawberry Smash, it was clear that Kiana has it all well under control.

All of the wines and spirits used to make the cocktails are locally sourced and served under Rowley Farmhouse Ales’s small brewer license. Think Bosque’s The Drinkery concept, but with less wasted space and better food in the vicinity.

I felt the lack of food options that first evening, but I was assured that pang was only temporary. Rowley’s chef and co-owner Jeffrey Kaplan said their food options will expand and evolve with time.

“Everything’s not finalized, but we’ve already worked out some deals with Izmi Sushi Bar,” Kaplan said. “Also, I’ve worked it out with the most awesome ladies around the corner at Market Steer, and they’ve got a small plate and app menu for us, where you can order a few Market Steer things and have that over here, so there’ll be food options. A few things of ours, and then some sushi and some steak.”

Count me in for the surf and turf!

The downstairs area is just about complete, but it’s also just Phase One of ¡Salud! In 2025 (which is not as far away as it used to sound), ¡Salud! looks to be expanding into the huge upstairs patio that’s already part of the lease. This space will include a larger bar with a 12-tap system, more food options, and plenty of headroom for heady discussion and live music. It is already set as far as electrical and plumbing go, and there is space for a walk-in cooler behind the future bar.

But for now, the Rowley Farmhouse Crew has found a great new spot to share their love of all things local, craft, and independent, one that’s comfortable and easily accessible, a good gathering spot with reasonable prices, which should capture the attention of not just visitors to our fine state, but locals too. Because sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your nombre. ¿Que no?

To the success of their new bar and it’s next phases,

¡Salud!

— Luke

Luke has been covering the beer scene in Santa Fe and beyond for 10 years now.