About Us
Brad and Brent Steven opened their first restaurant and bar, Backstage Bar & Grill in Wichita, Kansas in October 2004. They were mentored by the owner of a neighboring comedy club, from whom they learned a significant amount about the business. With their first business adventure, Brad and Brent knew it would be beneficial to their success if they knew how every aspect of the business was run. Therefore, they held every position from ground-up learning the restaurant business and how they could improve to grow for future endeavors.
Three years later, they purchased a rock bar, Club Indigo, in a popular bar district in Wichita. The bar was rebranded and focused on the club scene bringing in DJ's from all over the country. Club Indigo eventually went through a massive remodel including an expanded rooftop bar. The club is now called Industry Old Town. The business has been so successful which allowed them to purchase the real estate in this historic Wichita bar district hot spot.
In 2010, they opened Mike’s Wine Dive and built it up to have the largest wine selection in Wichita. Mike’s Wine Dive was an instant success, gaining awards such as the Best Wine List in Wichita. It was also recognized as a Restaurant Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator. They were one of only two restaurants in Wichita to win the award. After setting themselves apart from the pack, Mike’s Wine Dive was rebranded as Wine Dive. In 2016, it was upgraded to a Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. Only around 1,000 restaurants in 75 countries around the world have this two-glass award. The restaurant is now called Wine Dive + Kitchen.
In 2013, Brad and Brent opened The Hill Bar and Grill. They built this restaurant to have the largest beer selection in Wichita. This restaurant has also won several awards locally, most notably Best Sports Bar and Best Bar and Grill.
In August 2017, they purchased the assets of a long-standing wine bar and restaurant in Manhattan, Kansas, and opened Wine Dive + Kitchen. In their first year running the restaurant, they were awarded a Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator. Other than the two Wine Dives they own, only two restaurants in the state of Kansas have earned that distinction.
In 2018, Brad and Brent opened Vora Restaurant European in Wichita, Kansas. Their highest end operation consists of a large patio and two private dining rooms. Their European focused wine list has earned the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.
In September of 2022, they purchased a property in the historic Massachusetts Street district in Lawrence, Kansas which is their third Wine Dive + Kitchen location. It features a full-service bar, a craft cocktail menu, an expanded wine list, and a variety of delicious plates. The restaurant features a large outdoor patio, perfect for enjoying Lawrence’s beautiful weather and a private dining room. Brad and Brent were excited to bring their passion for wine and food to the city of Lawrence and have enjoyed becoming part of the local community.
Most recently, Brad and Brent formed a new business avenue with friend, Brian Carduff where they developed 3B Lodge and acquired five Twin Peaks franchise locations in Wichita and Kansas City. Twin Peaks offers wall-to-wall TV coverage of every major sporting event, tournament, game and fight. It is known for their wide selection of ice cold draft favorites and a made-from-scratch kitchen.
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Brad Steven began his career in the hospitality industry by managing health clubs from 2000 to 2004. In 2004, after opening his first business with his brother Brent, Brad developed a keen interest in high-end food and beverages. He started traveling to major cities to experience and taste food at fine dining establishments, and began studying to become a sommelier. Brad and Brent also considered opening a wine bar.
In 2010, they seized the opportunity and opened Mike’s Wine Dive in Wichita, Kansas. By May 2011, Brad had passed the Introductory Sommelier Course, overseen by the Court of Master Sommeliers. He continued his education through travel, professional mentors, and books, with his first trip to France occurring in October 2012.
Following the opening of a beer establishment, Brad became a Certified Beer Server through the Cicerone Certification Program in April 2014. In August 2014, he was certified as a Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and in September 2014, he became a Certified Specialist of Wine by the Society of Wine Educators. Shortly after, he traveled to Canada and Italy, applying what he had learned to his restaurants' food and beverage programs.
In September 2015, Brad was invited to join fellow wine professionals from across the United States on the Washington State Wine Road Trip. By March 2016, he had earned the title of French Wine Scholar from the Wine Scholar Guild, prompting another educational trip to France where he visited several regions to deepen his knowledge of local food and beverages.
Brad is a member of the Société Mondiale du Vin USA and a Maitre Rôtisseur Member, and serves as the Vice-Conseiller Gastronomique of La Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Wichita Bailliage. These prestigious gastronomic and wine societies have bolstered the reputation of Brad’s restaurants for quality food and beverages.
Each year, Brad travels to France and Italy, exploring various regions to enhance his understanding of their cuisines and beverages. He regularly hosts wine training classes for his restaurant teams to improve their knowledge. You can follow his journey on Instagram at @culinairegourmet.
Brent Steven graduated from Illinois State University in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in Speech and Political Science with an emphasis on business in communications. During his four years at Illinois State, he also accomplished a full-ride scholarship playing tennis. From Brent’s intercollegiate athletics experience playing tennis and coaching for 10 years, it enabled him to lead with customer service, strategic planning, leadership, and management skills. These experiences have propelled Brent to build a strong foundation and joined forces with his brother Brad in building Steven Hospitality Group. Brent’s ability to understand every aspect of the company gives him the insight needed to make informed decisions benefiting the business as a whole. Brent consistently works to streamline operations and manages overall corporate strategies for many facets of the business. He mirrors the high standard he sets for his employees, expecting them to work hard and be dedicated to the company. His leadership style includes a strong work ethic encouraging the best in others. Brent's experience and industry knowledge has been a major component in the success of Steven Hospitality Group. Brent continues to learn about the hospitality industry through travel around the globe, bringing a unique perspective to the table.
Jordan Howell graduated in 2011 from The University of Kansas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Communications. In 2015, she received a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Northcentral University in Arizona. Jordan served as the Director of School Operations for a small private school in Wichita for 6 years where she used her strong organizational and leadership skills. Jordan decided to further her business career serving as the Business Development Director of Steven Hospitality Group owned by her two brothers, Brad and Brent Steven. In her free time, she loves traveling and experiencing food and drink staples from different cultures all over the world and spending time her family.