Thea Mercouffer never planned on owning a bar. In fact, she resisted the idea at first.
After years as a documentary filmmaker, the Long Beach creative found herself at a crossroads, disillusioned by the administrative grind of fundraising that left little room for actual storytelling. But when she stumbled upon a vacant space in 2022, a different kind of vision took shape — one that would eventually become The Wicked Wolf, a bar that feels like a portal to another world.
“I had many reservations about running a bar,” Mercouffer admits. “I didn’t want the karma of people drinking and causing alcoholism. I don’t even drink myself. But the space felt like it could be more than just a bar — it could be a cultural space.”
Nestled within the Wrigley Neighborhood of Long Beach, The Wicked Wolf exudes an enchanting warmth. Velvet armchairs, gilded mirrors, and vintage-inspired wallpaper set the tone for what Mercouffer describes as “a queen’s cottage in the woods.”
The name itself stemmed from the building’s fairy-tale aesthetic, and when she stumbled upon an evocative painting of a regal, feminine wolf by an artist called Spiky, she knew she had her theme.
“I wanted it to be an empowered female wolf, not the lecherous fairy tale villain,” she explains. “It had to be posh and special.”
More than just a drinking establishment, The Wicked Wolf functions as a hub for the arts. “The bar was just an excuse to be able to have a cultural space,” Mercouffer says. “I realized, ‘If we went for the bar, we would have a place to do play readings, events, and gatherings.’” That vision has materialized with everything from literary salons to quiet reading nights in collaboration with local groups like the Long Beach Bookworms.
Even the drinks tell a story. The Wicked Wolf’s menu follows a rotating theme, currently inspired by a mythical fairy court. “We want people to understand what a Sazerac or a Negroni should really taste like,” Mercouffer says. “That way, when they try variations elsewhere, they can appreciate the creativity behind them.”
Navigating the hospitality industry as a woman came with its share of challenges, though Mercouffer says she largely found support in Long Beach’s tight-knit bar community.
“Every once in a while, I’ll wonder, ‘Would they have said that to a man?’” she says. “But for the most part, I’ve felt incredibly welcomed.” She even created a WhatsApp group for local bar owners to share resources and advice, reinforcing the idea that success is built through collaboration, not competition.
From the very beginning, she wanted The Wicked Wolf to be a safe space for women.
“I remember when we were getting ready to open, a few guys laughed and said, ‘You have glitter on the floor—of course it’s a women’s bar.’ But they also told me, ‘You’re making a safe space for women, and guys will go where the women are.’”
Mercouffer calls it “repellent design” — not in the sense of keeping people out, but in naturally weeding out those who don’t respect the space’s energy. “Sometimes people walk in and immediately go, ‘Yeah, not my spot,’ and they walk out. But it’s never women,” she says. “Women always feel welcome here.”
In a city saturated with nightlife, The Wicked Wolf has managed to carve out a niche by offering something more than just drinks. It’s a refuge, a creative incubator and a love letter to the art of storytelling.
“Everything we do here is storytelling,” Mercouffer says. “From the way we decorate to the way we name drinks, we’re giving people an experience, a new story to step into.”
Mercouffer herself considers herself "artistic director of The Wicked Wolf."
Beyond the atmosphere and cocktails, the bar’s events foster a sense of community and inclusivity. Mercouffer has collaborated with women-led groups, including the Long Beach Walking Club, a nearly all-female organization that frequently gathers at the bar. “They feel safe, supported, and loved here,” she says. “That’s exactly what I wanted this space to be.”
For women looking to pivot careers or take creative risks, she offers one simple piece of advice: “Pick a spot, keep digging, and eventually, you’ll get to sunlight.”
While Mercouffer’s journey from filmmaking to bar ownership was unexpected, she sees both as an act of storytelling.
“Every detail here — down to the glassware and seating — sends a message,” she says. “When people walk in, they’re stepping into a story that I hope makes them feel valued, inspired and part of something bigger.”