The Temple Tavern, a casual Italian restaurant, and Red Rose Social, a neighborhood cocktail bar, are both expected to open soon in Spokane's Garland District, bringing additional food and beverage options to the neighborhood.

The Temple Tavern, a trade name for Pizza Party LLC, will open Thursday, Feb. 13, says owner Taylor Rainwater.

A second establishment, dubbed the Red Rose Social LLC, is also preparing to open soon but doesn't have a specific date scheduled, according to the company’s social media. Red Rose Social owner Aaron Fiorini, who also owns Market Street Pizza LLC, didn't respond to the Journal’s request for comment.

The establishments are located about a block from each other on the north side of Garland Avenue, about a half-mile west of Division Street.

The Temple Tavern is located at 706 W. Garland, in the historic Masonic Temple building constructed in 1922, Rainwater says.

Rainwater, who owns The Temple Tavern with his wife, Chrissy Loe, previously lived in the neighborhood a decade ago and says the couple was drawn to the neighborhood due to the community's laid-back and outgoing atmosphere.

“While I was living in this neighborhood, (a restaurant at this) spot opened up and one of my friends worked here,” he says. “I came in a couple times, but I was always really interested in the space — I always just thought it was a cool, cool location. I’ve always had my eye on it, and when it came (available recently), I thought, ‘It might be the right time.’”

The previous tenant, The North Hill on Garland restaurant, closed at the beginning of the year, he says. 

The restaurant has four full-time employees and four part-time employees. A soft grand opening with reduced hours is scheduled at Temple Tavern Feb. 11 and Feb. 12, Rainwater says.

“We'll still have a full menu, but it allows us a little bit of extra time to work out some kinks and see what works and what doesn't work,” he explains.

The Temple Tavern will serve hand-rolled pasta, pizza, and cocktails, he says. 

The location is expected to draw visitors from around the Garland neighborhood as they window shop.

“All (the food) is takeout friendly as well,” he adds. “Even people that are out and about walking around, if they want to go over to the park or something and grab a pizza, that's another option for them as well.”

The 1,000-square-foot, ground-floor restaurant can accommodate about 40 people inside, and will have outside seating on a second-story balcony that can double the restaurant’s capacity. Rainwater plans to seat customers outside to enjoy the neighborhood’s ambiance as weather permits, he says. 

“You're able to see, especially at night, the whole neighborhood with all the neon lights down the road,” he says. “It's a cool addition to the business to have, and I think that that will drive a lot of people here.”

The Garland District has limited pizza and Italian food options, Rainwater adds, and he expects his restaurant’s “laid-back” atmosphere will add value to the neighborhood.

“I'm excited to give the neighborhood another option, and I hope that people are excited as well,” he says. 

One block west of Temple Tavern, at 828 W. Garland, a new bar dubbed Red Rose Social has tenant improvements underway. The bar is replacing the previous tenant, the Garland Drinkery, which closed in 2025.

Red Rose Social will serve craft cocktails, beer, and other bar food, according to the company's social media.

Ongoing renovations at the 850-square-foot space will add a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bathroom and bar, according to permit information on file with the city of Spokane.

Red Rose Social's owner, Fiorini, also operates two Market Street Pizza locations, at 11420 E. Sprague, in Spokane Valley, and at 2721 N. Market, in Spokane.

The Garland District is located three miles north of downtown Spokane, and is home to the historic Garland Theater, a 1940’s-era movie theater; Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle Desserts LLC, which does business as Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle; The Brothers Brown Derby LLC, which operates as Brown Derby; D.J.'s Diner LLC, which does business as Ferguson's Cafe; and other long-standing eateries and businesses.