'This Is Death': Mauve Nosh & Libations Gone, Nick Pena Reinvents, Transforms Mauve For Grand Re-Opening

SHOREWOOD, IL — One of the most popular and well-received bars in the Joliet region, Mauve Nosh & Libations, has remained closed all week as new sole owner Nick Pena remodels his interior decor. Major changes will be unveiled when Pena reopens his establishment as Mauve Cocktail Lounge at 4 p.m. Friday.

Mauve will now be heralded as the region's most extensive martini bar. Mauve will feature 24 different martinis and over 100 selections of bourbons.

"It's crystal chandeliers, artwork prints and Victorian sconce, velvet green curtains. It's going to look pretty awesome in here. I reimagined the bar and got rid of Nosh & Libations," Pena told Joliet Patch's editor during Wednesday's interview. "It's now Mauve Cocktail Lounge. A lot of people don't know what Nosh & Libations were. I think naming it a cocktail lounge, a lot of people would know what that is."

For the unfamiliar, Mauve has one of the most vibrant Facebook pages for Joliet area bars and restaurants, now topping 6,600 followers. Pena has been posting photos all week long on his Facebook page, showcasing the interior remodeling work.

In a January 10th Facebook announcement, Pena informed his Mauve followers: "Goodbye cold metal chairs. Goodbye hanging industrial lights. Goodbye pink accent wall. Goodbye empty black walls. Goodbye, ciao, adios… It’s time to show this area what a nice, sexy, good vibe should look like. It’s time to stop showing new business vibes and start showing established business vibes. This is Death. Ending a cycle that no longer serves and coming back to life in a new, flourishing way."

Starting Jan. 16, Mauve Cocktail Lounge will be open 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and closed Sundays. Mauve features a happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, offering discounted prices on bottles of wine and $8 martinis and $8 sangrias.

Located in Shorewood along Route 52 near River Road, Mauve first opened back in September 2021. It's next door to the Happy Place Cafe restaurant and Will County Brewing Company on the other side.

Some Customers Come Daily: Pena

"We have really, really good followers who have been very excited for the remodel," Pena explained. "I have several loyal customers and some customers come daily."

Pena said most of Mauve's customers reside in Shorewood, Joliet, Plainfield and Minooka.

"We have some occasional travelers who come from Chicago, which is pretty amazing," Pena proclaimed with a giant smile.

One major facet of the remodeling is Mauve's addition of several noteworthy pieces of artwork.

"Four professional painted prints featuring Augustine and Michaelangelo," Pena revealed. "I definitely wanted to do more Victorian and Baroque Era, which is 1580 to 1750."

4 New Paintings Will Have Museum Glass

Pena said the new paintings will be installed "two weeks from now."

"We're looking at 48 (inches) by 30 (inches). They will have a museum glass. I felt like becoming the sole owner, it feels like a new era now. I feel like I don't want people to think they need a dress code to come in here," Pena remarked. "It's more wanting to give the community a nice place to come, but what I really want is for people to walk in into this strip mall and not even feel like they're in Shorewood."

As part of the remodeling, Pena said Mauve Cocktail Lounge is adding more tables.

"The majority of our clientele is two people, so we're adding more small tables and eliminating bigger tables.

"We are still having the same small plates and great shareables."