Cozy new MS Coast bar inspired by Arizona wine bar is years in making. ‘I almost gave up’
A fortuitous trip to a wine bar in Arizona several years ago sparked inspiration for Tasha Holliday, who had never owned or operated a bar, to open the Hen House in April. Holliday says she fell in love with the wine bar and felt like its laid-back atmosphere would be perfect for Bay St. Louis.
“There was nothing like it in this area really, in my opinion, somewhere where you can go and visit with friends and not be rushed,” Holliday said. “Just a laid back place.”
She opened the Hen House to fill that gap alongside her husband, Bradley Holliday, who calls himself her dishwasher.
The Hen House has the feel of a cozy, dark living room, with plush seating, curtained windows, and splashes of blue, purple and green colors. Getting the bar opened was an involved process.
“I’m surprised that it actually happened finally,” Tasha Holliday said. “I almost gave up.”
Before the Hen House, Tasha Holiday owned a fashion boutique in Poplarville called Fabulous You and flipped houses, while her husband owns two construction companies in Pass Christian.
For years, Holliday said, they had looked for a space to host their dream bar. The couple looked at many locations between Bay St. Louis and Long Beach to host their dream bar, but none of them ever worked out or felt right.
In November they spotted a sign in the door of their now current location on Blaize Avenue in Bay St. Louis and, as Tasha Holliday said, since then everything else fell into place.
The Hen House serves many specialty cocktails, all with bird themes to go with the name Hen House. The Fire Bird Margarita, one of their top sellers, is made with tequila, jalapeno juice, strawberry puree, lime juice, citrus and the seasoning Tajin. Most of the drinks range from $10 to $15.
The Hen House also offers draft beer, an extensive wine list and small plates. The charcuterie board, which comes in two different sizes, and the hot honey bacon deviled eggs are top selling food offerings.
In the future, Bradley Holliday says, they intend to expand their current outdoor seating area and get permits to serve alcohol outside. Currently alcoholic beverages must be purchased at the indoor bar and carried outside in plastic cups.
The Hen House is located at 122 Blaize Ave. in Bay St. Louis and is open on Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. The bar offers a happy hour daily from opening until 5 p.m., and uses QR code menus and online ordering.
