From Three-Wheeled Tap Truck to Wine Bar

Jeremiah Esterline refers to Tiny Bubbles as a silver lining for him and his wife, Brandi. The idea first took shape in their minds, with concepts jotted down in notebooks. The couple, with decades of experience in the hospitality industry, found themselves out of work during the pandemic shutdown with plenty of time to dream about their next step. Amid the uncertainty, with outdoor gatherings encouraged and CDC guidelines in place, they saw a need for a mobile bar service. Their solution? A three-wheeled, pint-sized tap truck called the Ape (pronounced AH-pay, Italian for “bee”) made by the Italian company Piaggio, which would allow them to serve sparkling libations on draft — anywhere. Inspired by Don Ho’s 1966 pop hit of the same name, the couple’s business is as playful as the name suggests.
After importing and retrofitting the Piaggio Ape, the Esterlines launched Tiny Bubbles in May 2020, popping up at food truck events and neighborhood gatherings city-wide. Soon after, they became a vendor at the Scissortail Farmers Market. For the Esterlines, the market was an incubator for growth, and they began imagining what a brick-and-mortar version of Tiny Bubbles could look like.

In May 2024, Tiny Bubbles Wine Bar opened its doors in the Shoppes at Northpark. “When I share our location, I have to explain that Northpark isn’t your average mall,” Brandi says. Northpark, owned by the Morris family since opening in 1971, has maintained a strong local identity. Unlike many malls, Northpark thrives by offering a distinctive space that embraces community and supports local businesses. It continues to evolve, with new developments on the way — like Bush League Sports Tavern, a concept created by another Northpark tenant, Hamilton Supperette and Lounge. The space that formerly housed the movie theater will soon become pickleball courts.

The Esterlines, who live near Northpark, wanted the bar to feel as comfortable as their own living room. The interior they crafted offers no hints of being inside a mall, or even in Oklahoma. Black and white accents with “golden moon” and “silver sea” blues create a whimsically sophisticated atmosphere. A small but charming patio further adds to the light and airy vibe.

“The beautiful thing about wine is the pursuit of knowledge is endless,” Jeremiah says. The wine list offers a range of unusual regions and styles, including draft wines that allow them to provide upscale choices at more affordable prices. Their signature build-your-own spritz bar, with over a dozen liqueurs, offers varied flavor profiles.

Though they’re not chefs, Brandi and Jeremiah crafted a menu of which they’d never tire. The thin-crust pizzas, both gluten-free and traditional, are perfectly crisp. Starters like burrata, beef kofta, meatballs, and bacon bar snacks are designed to be shared, reflecting how the couple enjoys dining together. “We see many tables order several things to share,” Brandi says.

The brunch at Tiny Bubbles — served on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays — is notable. Fridays are especially popular with industry folks and early weekenders. The bar has EÔTÉ nitro cold brew on tap, and features other local products, like Guthrie’s WanderFolk Spirits and OKC’s Feral Dough’s focaccia and sourdough.

Fans of the Italian scooters will be glad to know the Piaggio Ape fleet (there are now two) still roams the local event circuit, spreading joy. The couple’s vision for their brick-and-mortar space goes beyond bubbles and bites; they’ve intentionally created a third space — somewhere neither work nor home. “We wanted a place to ‘just be,’” Jeremiah explains.

Running a restaurant side-by-side was always the dream for Jeremiah and Brandi. Tiny Bubbles is a testament to the fact that sometimes dreams need a little extra time and encouragement to bubble to the surface.

Tiny Bubbles, 12100 N. May Ave., Suite B, OKC, (405) 242-2144, tinybubbleswinebar.com, @tinybubblesokc