Our Story
Our Story
For years, Christian Esser & Shalico Christian had a big idea for a small bar.
After helping to successfully establish WINESCHOOL3 as the preeminent educator for wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages in the Cayman Islands and throughout the Caribbean & LATAM region, and then later Aroma Academy, which teaches people sensory skills with regard to the aromas and flavours in wine and spirits, Shalico saw a gap in the hospitality offerings on Grand Cayman.
Despite the large variety of wines from around the world available on Grand Cayman, most licensed establishments offered only a few – and often unimaginative – wine selections by the glass.
With more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality sector in the Cayman Islands and Canada, Shalico thought Grand Cayman needed a true wine bar where someone could come and have a glass or two of any number of wines – or maybe a craft cocktail – and pair them with some nibbles. Rather than opening a large restaurant where the focus was on food first, the idea behind such a bar was of a fun, friendly and cosy place that people could come to before or after dinner, or on a night when they wanted to eat lightly. Eventually, Shalico’s idea became a reality when Le Petit Bar opened in November, 2022 at the Jacques Scott Marketplace in West Bay, Grand Cayman.
With a changing list of more than 220 wines curated by sommelier – and WINESCHOOL3 lead educator – Christian Esser available by the glass, Le Petit Bar offers an unpretentious way of enjoying over 40 delicious wines from around the world available in 3-ounce or 5-ounce pours, as well as more than 220 labels available by the bottle. You’ll also find a selection of beer and more than a dozen creative cocktails featuring various spirits and liqueurs, all crafted on the spot by talented bartenders.
Since wine is designed to be enjoyed with food, Le Petit Bar offers build-your-own cheese and charcuterie boards as well a tasty terrines and other canapes like Welsh rarebit fritters, beef short rib croquettes and chicken liver parfait beignets.
Like the WINESCHOOL3, which now makes its home in Le Petit Bar on Mondays and Tuesdays, Le Petit Bar’s slogan is “Liquid Lively Fun” and it delivers on all counts. Intimate and decorated with paintings by rising-star Caymanian artist John Reno Jackson – whose artistry appears on the labels for Christian Esser’s private selections of wines – Le Petit Bar presents an inviting ambiance in which to enjoy a quick glass of wine after work or an after-dinner nightcap –
Just like Christian & Shalico envisioned.
Our Mission & Vision
Offering a selection of high-quality wines and cocktails.
Providing excellent customer service and knowledgeable staff who can guide you through the menu.
Creating a welcoming and comfortable environment where customers can socialize and unwind.
Hosting events, tastings, and other special occasions that showcase the bar's offerings and attract new customers.
Becoming a destination for wine and cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate quality, variety, and ambiance in the Cayman Islands.
Establishing a reputation for excellence in the community and the industry.
Fostering a sense of community among customers and staff through shared intere
Why Choose Us
Vbrant and convivial atmosphere, where customers feel comfortable and relaxed while enjoying their drinks. The atmosphere is enhanced by soft lighting, comfortable seating, and tasteful decor.
Energizing Music is playing in the background, adding to the ambiance and creating a lively energy in the room. Our bar staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive, adding to the overall positive vibe of the bar. Customers can expect a high level of service and expertise. Our selection of wines and cocktails is carefully curated, offering a diverse range of options to suit different palates and preferences.
Our wine selection is truly exceptional. We have over 40 wines available by the glass, and our Wine Director has over 20 years of experience working in the industry, having visited most wine regions around the globe. We carefully select over 175 wine labels to ensure that we offer the highest quality and most unique selection of wines.
In addition to our wine selection, we also offer an impressive collection of over 230 spirits from all over the world. Our cocktail selection is designed by a Diageo World Class competition Winner, ensuring that only the top-quality ingredients are used to create each and every drink.
To complement our drinks, we make our own terrines and offer the opportunity for our guests to build their own charcuterie platter at extremely reasonable prices. This allows you to create a custom selection of meats and cheeses that perfectly complement your drinks.
Overall, we believe that Le Petit Bar offers a truly exceptional experience for anyone who enjoys good wine, cocktails, and food. We are confident that we can provide an unforgettable evening for you and your companions. We hope to see you soon!