Little Italy’s Carousel Bar to Keep Turning Under New Ownership

Wolfie’s Carousel Bar, which opened in 2021 on the north end of India Street in Little Italy, is heading towards its fourth anniversary under the auspices of SDCM, the local restaurant group behind the adjacent Camino Riviera and other neighborhood spots like Kettner Exchange and the Devil’s Dozen. SDCM owner Matt Spencer, who recently resurrected the Whaling Bar in La Jolla, has purchased the themed bar and restaurant from Wolfie’s co-founder Mauricio Couturier, who will be refocusing on his design business, Couturier Vision.

Spencer has long admired the 2,500-square-foot space, which will be renamed Wilma’s Carousel Bar in honor of his grandmother. He and SDCM plan on a temporary four to six-week shutter of the venue with a launch of Wilma’s later this summer.

Working with Davis Ink, some of the original creatives behind Wolfie’s who also helped SDCM design Captain’s Quarters and the Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach, Spencer will be making some enhancements to the site, updating the front door and adding greenery to the storefront including new decorative planters under its sidewalk-facing windows.

Its overall vision and layout will remain, along with the revolving circular cocktail bar that is the centerpiece of the 256-seat restaurant. Inspired by the 75-year-old Carousel Bar & Lounge in New Orleans, the Little Italy merry-go-round makes a full rotation every 14 minutes.

Wilma’s Carousel Bar will feature a fresh new menu from SDCM corporate executive chef Brian Redzikowski and beverage director Eric Johnson. The still-developing selections will have nods to New Orleans, including bananas Foster and a Sazerac, as well as other dishes and cocktails ranging from ranch labneh with crudites and Philly beef toast with raclette and caramelized onion to a white negroni sbagliato and the Bijou, a pre-Prohibition classic.

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