Maydeen Merino
Assistant Editor
Taberna is a new tapas bar in downtown La Verne that provides people a place to enjoy classic drinks like martinis, margaritas, red and whites wines as well as rotating draft beers from local breweries.
Taberna opened about two weeks ago and is owned by Mike Chiovare and Jim Read.
Both owners were interested in opening a business in La Verne because they admired the close knit community. When Chase’s moved out of its Third Street location, they saw their opportunity.
“We got together a year and half ago when it was vacated,” Chiovare said.
“And knowing what people want to do and how they want to hang out, we enhanced it just a little bit. We thought we could create something people can come back to night after night.”
The bar has attracted many residents of La Verne and students from the nearby colleges.
“We have had a lot of locals come in and have been coming in repeatedly since we opened,” said bartender Destiny Juarez.
From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday to Friday the bar offers happy hour with $5 mini martinis, $7 select wines by glass, $7 sangria and $5 select draft beers.
Taberna offers classic drinks like a dirty martini made with Ketel One vodka, olive juice and bleu cheese olives.
Someone with a sweet tooth may enjoy a mudslide martini made with Tito’s coffee liqueur and Irish creme.
The bar also includes small portions of food called tapas, such as shrimp cocktail, avocado toast, nachos and al pastor quesadillas.
Food is limited after until 10 p.m. when the kitchen closes for the day.
Taberna resides within a light blue building resembling a home and when entering guests are first welcomed with the inside bar.
Guests can also venture off to the outside patio, which resembles a backyard with scattered tables, sofa chairs and plenty of fire pits.
“I really liked Taberna, it has a backyard style, they provided blankets and a great fire,” said Monica Garcia, a Cal State Los Angeles student, and first-time guest.
“This bar is unique because I feel like I am in someone’s backyard, not a bar.”
The name Taberna comes from the Spanish word for tavern so the bar features some Spanish decor inspiration.
The bar strives to attract the community with seasonal events such as drinksgiving, winter paint night and taco Tuesday.
There is also live music every Friday and Saturday.
Taberna is located at 2136 Third Street in La Verne. It is open Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight.
To stay updated with their upcoming events, follow Taberna on Instagram @tabernalaverne.
Maydeen Merino can be reached at maydeen.merino@laverne.edu.
