Wine is the nectar of the gods. It’s often the beginning to any romantic evening. And, it’s one of the most talked-about drinks in the food and drink industry. And, with Americans becoming more and more interested in the drink, you’ll find numerous quiet, cosy wine bars popping up all over the country.
California tops the list by far as the state with the most wineries, followed by Washington, Oregon, New York, and Virginia to round out the top five. And, while Napa Valley might be famous for its world-renowned grapes and labels, you’ll notice that the best wine bars in the United States cater to all kinds of tastes, styles, and varieties.
You don’t have to be travelling through Napa Valley just to sample some fine wine. We’re delighted to bring you a super sumptuous vino-filled list of the 25 best wine bars in the US. They’re often hidden in plain sight and overflowing with locals who don’t mind sharing a glass or two with a friendly stranger.
Timó combine rustic, sophisticated cooking, a superb wine list, and some of the trendiest decor in Phoenix to craft a super sensual spot for a glass of red in the evening. From the robust small plates to the hand-crafted wood-fired pizzas they serve, everything is bursting with unique flavours, even the wines. They offer light whites, strong whites, easy reds, bold reds, and so much more.
Jet off to Jet Wine Bar in Philly to enjoy a delicious array of wines from around the globe. You can stop by for a glass, a bottle, or even a tasting flight that’ll allow you to sample numerous different kinds of flavour profiles. They call their menu a global vineyard and serve wine from all over Europe, including Greece, Hungary, and Austria. Planning an event? The lounge is extremely modern and colourful.
In terms of trendiness and architectural design, Coopers Hall easily takes the top spot on any list of cute wine bars. The focus here is on “producing wines that they care for in such a manner as they care for themselves.” And, it shows. Wines are unique and local, and served on tap. Locally sourced, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients are the key to any dish they produce, which you can enjoy in their incredibly Instagrammable hall.
On a Friday night in San Francisco, head to Wine Down in order to wind down. It’s easy to see why so many people think this is one of the best wine bars in the US. Not only have they crafted a modern, elegant space that screams contemporary millennial wine bar, but they shine a spotlight on small, independent California producers. If you’re travelling through California, this is a great place to stop and sample local fare.
At Spoke Wine Bar, it’s all about the intimate approach they take to wine with a list that’s been so delicately curated to feature only the best of the best. They work closely with farmers, winemakers, and brewers to create a truly harmonious menu with wine always at the forefront. While anything you order is likely going to awaken your tastebuds, we highly suggest starting with one of their orange wines.
According to Pour, they’re well-known and well-loved by the local crowd for their fine food, delicious drinks and festive atmosphere. Sounds like the makings of one of the best wine bars in the US to us. From a delicious expertly curated glass of wine to their specialty craft cocktails, they’ve mastered the art of balancing flavours and boy do they offer a variety. Their red wine selection extends to include at least 40 varieties.
Addictive Wine and Tapas is the go-to tapas bar if you’re travelling through New York. It’s delightfully cosy and sommelier Francisco Diaz’s wine selections pair perfectly with all of the tasty tapas they serve. Truly, trust in the sommelier’s knowledge of wine, as he seems to nail it on the head each time he brings in a new bottle, brand, or variety. As for the tapas, well, they’re some of the best outside of Spain.
Fancy a fine evening of elegance and intrigue? Sopra is the place to go, and it’s by far one of the best wine bars in all of Colorado. Expect modern twists on classic Italian-American cuisine to indulge in as you sample some unique, specialty wines from their 100 bottle wine list. If you’re not in the mood to dine, check out the second-story deck to witness breathtaking views of Pikes Peak.
Hey, it wouldn’t be a list of the best wine bars in the US without mentioning a Napa favourite. After touring California wine country, head somewhere where you can kick back, congregate, and celebrate the beauty of wine. On the menu they’ve got some rare champagne, wines from all over the world, and even a nice little wine flight. We suggest opting for the flight as it allows you to sample three wines at once.
Travelling to Boston? Head to Beacon Hill, do all the touristy things, then spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at No. 9 Park. This sophisticated bar showcases an award-winning wine list and the staff to back it up. This is one of the few places where it seems that the staff truly know their stuff, so don’t be shy in asking for some suggestions.
It’s hard to beat the opulent interior that makes The Press Room so irresistibly charming. Wander into The Publishing House and make your way down into the underground wine bar. It’s there where you’ll be welcomed by charming vintage decor, plush green-backed booth seats and a wine list that extends to include more than 40 wines by the glass and 140 by the bottle.
Preservation Tasting Room is a destination for lovers of both wine and craft beer. A trendy, well-designed space sets the stage for a truly unforgettable evening here, where they specialise in draft service of craft beer and, yes, even wine. Definitely save room to treat yourself to a bottle as they’re mostly organic and natural wines that you’re not likely to find anywhere else in Kentucky.
Austin’s a trendy city in terms of food trucks, craft beer, and live music. However, the wine scene is beginning to boom as well, in part due to the folks at Winebelly. They bill themselves as a restaurant that pairs Spanish-Mediterranean style food with an internationally-curated wine list. This South Austin hotspot sure knows how to pick ’em because every wine on their menu is delicious and delightful.
Amidst the troves of trendy bars you’ll find in LA is the tucked-away Bar Covell in Los Feliz. The decor is warm, rustic and inviting, and their impressive wine list beats that of pretty much any other bar in the entire city. Wines here are available by the glass, and they’ve been hand-selected by guys who seem to truly know what they’re doing. Locals love it, and that seems to be a good sign that travellers will love it too.
Who knew Oklahoma City could look so hip and fun? Head to the rooftop terrace at Sidecar and you’ll be dazzled and delighted with views of the entire city as you sip on sumptuous glasses of wine from around the world. Starters include butcher boards and smoked salmon, which actually pairs pretty well with any full-bodied white wines they’ve sourced from places like France, Washington, Italy, and Sonoma.
If there’s one thing that’s true about Veritas Wine Room it’s that you’ll never be strapped for choice here. The Dallas bar features a rotating selection of approximately 400 wines from all around the world. Craving something simply by-the-glass? They serve about 30 different wines that way. Austria and France seem to dominate the menu, but they’ve got select wines from places like Spain, and even a dessert Porto.
It’s easy to tell that the owners behind this family owned and operated wine bar are truly passionate about creating a warm, inviting space for visitors to enjoy. Their hand-selected collection of wine is sourced mainly from small lots and family owned boutique wineries, giving their entire menu a truly authentic, local feel. It’s a true delight to visit, making it easily one of the best wine bars in the US.
The swanky, upscale Aldo Sohm Wine Bar should be on any wine lover’s bucket list, if not at least for the incredible decor. It’s New York City personified, with an energetic buzz unlike most wine bars in the US. And, decor aside, they’re pretty on top of their stuff, offering over 40 wines by the glass and 200 by the bottle options as well as a monthly flight program to enjoy if you’re staying for a while.
The Blind Monk seems to make pretty much every list ranking the best wine bars in the US, and it’s easy to see why. It’s one of the most beautiful bars in the country and they truly cater to those looking to learn about wine and experience the rich, complex flavours glass by glass. The menu is nicely organised by flavour, but if you’re a fan of white wine we suggest starting with the Robert Weil Riesling.
Sexy, seductive, and intimate are all adjectives you could use to describe 13 Celsius, one of the hottest wine bars in Texas. Upon entering this bar you’ll understand just how reminiscent it is of wine bars and enotecas of Europe. Then, after one glance at the wine list, you’ll see just how much work they put into only selecting wines with unique character and superior quality. As an added touch, you can even order wines by the half-glass or by the taste.
There’s nothing quite like sipping on a glass of new wine that you’ve never tasted before, except doing so in a cosy setting or warm garden terrace. That’s what Bottlehouse offers its guests, at least during the warmer months. The space is as hand crafted as the wine on their menu and compliments all occasions, both casual and sophisticated. It doesn’t get much better than this.
The Ten Bells in New York is redefining modern wine bars. Simply put, they’re setting the standard for all subsequent wine bars in the country, sure to inspire a movement full of natural wines. Yes, here they focus on natural wines and tapas, both of which seem to overflow with rich flavours that have likely never passed over your palate before.
What makes City Winery one of the best wine bars in the US? Everything! It’s Nashville’s first full-functioning urban winery, welcoming guests to tour the space and even learn about the process. Even the food menu is wine-inspired, which you should definitely sample as you enjoy the evening in their spacious dining hall where they also host live music events.
Bacchanal Wine is billed as “NOLA’s backyard party” and truly, that’s the perfect way to describe it. A bustling, historic wine shop spills out into a lush garden space with canopied lights and some of the best jazz in the Big Easy. So, not only does this spot serve great wine, and a variety of it, they also cater to those looking for a full-on experience, an entire evening of laid-back fun.
As soon as you enter the door here you might feel as if you’ve stumbled into a traditional Spanish tapas bar. Nope, you’re still in Asheville, you’re just in what is one of the best wine bars in the US. This vermutería and jamonería is, at the forefront, a celebration of Spanish flavours, both in food and drink. Their all-Spanish wine list personifies the flavours found in every region of the country, which is an intriguing experience for those new to the scene.
Elizabeth has lived and worked in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia, all of which have contributed to her passion for travel writing. When she's not writing, you can find her exploring little hideouts in Colombia or watching photography tutorials on YouTube. Contact: [email protected]
