A polished passenger car has a new life as a 24-seat wine bar tucked behind Spirits in Willoughby, giving the downtown spot a full-on dining-car vibe out back. The retro railcar, now a reservation-only tasting room, debuted on Valentine’s Day and currently opens only on Fridays and Saturdays. New owner Kirk Swanson and general manager Mary O’Neill Vicic are operating the cozy car alongside the tavern’s larger indoor bar and patio.
According to Cleveland.com, Swanson took over the seven-year-old tavern and brought in Vicic as general manager to guide the train-car concept. The outlet reports that the railcar likely dates to the 1950s, previously ran with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and later appeared on the 1975–76 Bicentennial Freedom Train. That same report notes that the neighboring Willoughby Coal & Supply Co. building is slated to store oak barrels as Spirits moves into small-scale wine production.
Spirits’ own website lists the business at 3872 Erie Street and posts its current kitchen and bar hours, according to Spirits in Willoughby. The site also promotes an Easter brunch on April 5, 2026, which is billed as the venue’s first brunch service…