From its façade you’d never guess that the new Bamboo Lounge wine bar offers nearly 3,000 square feet of stylish space that leads to a Zen-inspired garden in the back, replete with a serene waterfall and 10 varieties of bamboo plants offering lush privacy.

The hangout, which is still gaining word-of-mouth popularity since opening in August, is one of five wine bars in Hillcrest – each offering distinct atmospheres and wine choices.

“There’s room for all of us,” said Bamboo Lounge owner Alex Marin, referring to the friendly competition in the neighborhood and the public’s growing fondness for wine and food served in a comforting, gay-friendly environment outside of traditional bars. “We’re chic, classy and cool. And it feels in here like a lounge you’d find in New York.”

Marin previously operated a tea house at the same location a few years back before transforming it into a wine bar with low, upholstered banquettes, leather couches, antique furniture pieces, a stately foyer and a video projector that splashes classic movies and artsy video loops onto a large interior wall. On Sundays, starting at 4:00 p.m., he presents sing-a-long musicals to the tune of cherished films such as The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, The Producers, Oklahoma and more. Or on “Waxx Wednesdays,” evening patrons can bring in their old vinyl LPs and hear them played over the lounge’s pervasive sound system.

The wine list embodies varietals from the familiar Kendall Jackson and Dancing Bull labels to “super Tuscan” red blends and lesser-known names from Europe and South America. The current inventory features about 80 different wines by the bottle (starting at about $18) and about 45 by the glass.

In addition, Marin concocts his own Sangria – a white Chablis-based recipe doctored with coconut and pineapple and white grape juices, plus a Christmasy tasting red Sangria that combines citrus, cinnamon and Burgundy.

His recently revised menu of hot and cold small plates remains a work in progress. “I’ve been concentrating on the food a lot. We’re aiming for a full kitchen, which we don’t have right now,” he added. Yet winos won’t go hungry. The current offerings include fresh fruit plates, assorted cheeses, homemade hummus, jalapeno-alfredo penne pasta and ravioli topped with veggie-packed marinara sauce. On Thursdays, customers enjoy two appetizers for the price of one.

The lounge also features a “conference room” available to private groups, businesses and nonprofit organizations at “negotiable prices.” Also incorporated into the layout is a burnt, distressed wall that survived when the building caught fire some 30 years ago. It’s been kept exposed in a semi-private nook furnished with leather couches, tables and a Persian-style rug.

Bamboo Lounge is located at 1475 University Ave., and opens daily at 4:00 p.m. For more information, call (619) 291-8221.