15 Of The Best Natural Wine Bars In The US

The interesting thing about natural wine bars is that they're inherently new to the scene. While some global establishments — from wine domaines to the finest restaurants — have long treasured the creation and sharing of products made with little intervention, no chemicals, and a holistic ethos (or, a sense of ecological and social responsibility), these wines have only recently come into their own as a vibe. And it's a vibe worthy of its own space, fostered by creative proprietors, staff, and designers to reflect not a column of definition but a fluid atmosphere of multimedium fun that often includes music, art, or philosophy-driven service. From cities coast to coast (and friendly environs between), each natural wine bar is drawn from its own set of circumstances and each is unique from the next.

Here are 15 of the best places in the U.S. to discover natural wine with the people who dig it and are sharing their passion with more drinkers than ever before. Note: The wine lists at these establishments change. Bottle examples were chosen at the time this article was written to provide a taste of what may be available when guests walk through the door.

The long and generous wine list at Hotel Delmano is packed with independent wine producers, which are the hallmark of this Williamsburg establishment. Housed in a historic New York City building, the space inside is nested with cozy nooks and a whiff of old-timey atmosphere. It's the perfect spot to meet a friend for a quiet chat and a sample of unique sips that aren't found elsewhere in the neighborhood.

Guests can enjoy raw bar favorites along with an impressive by-the-glass program that has featured gems like the unfiltered and tangy Col Fondo and some hardy Greek reds. The staff here evokes a good time and this is a business that gives back with support for Love the Land and The Okra Project. The menu also includes original cocktails made with artisanal spirits — there's a handmade vibe running through the mixology. You'll find something new to enjoy each season, making this a place to scope out throughout the year.

Good Funk on Upper Wacker Drive in Chicago promises a taste of the city's architecture from its location in the historic Great Lakes Building in the Loop neighborhood. With a view of the Chicago River, this is one of the city's most talked-about natural wine spots. The fermentation-based food menu is filled with pickled, smoked, and cured ingredients, but Good Funk ups the ante with its natural-wine-friendly accouterments. Housemade charcuterie and tinned Iberian seafood are just two of the temptations. With a wine list that ranges from Abruzzo's fizzy rosatos to an exciting selection of sherry, this Maison Bonhomme-owned establishment is a treat. One of the best seats in the house is at the sophisticated indoor bar, crafted by local fabricators.

The ethos of Good Funk is to present wines that are "intentionally different," to quote the website. This results in a selection of wines that are crafted in inventive ways, such as cider-bubbly bottles, plenty of skin contact whites, and attention to blends that don't come together in typical cuvées. 

Strange Town is the best spot in Milwaukee — if not Wisconsin — to drink natural wine made by producers that work in harmony with the environment. The food menu only includes housemade, vegan dishes with ingredients from Wisconsin growers and providers. This is a cool way to get to know the state's abundantly rich agriculture that's home to plenty of next-generation young farmers. In fact, Strange Town notes that it is "100% vegan" on its Instagram page. From its website, guests can explore the various producers that are considered partners. This is also a women-owned establishment that supports small-scale farming and family entrepreneurs.

When you're here, you can enjoy wines like Saperavi from Georgia and a skin-contact pet-nat from Slovakia, which can be sipped indoors or on the outdoor patio. Strange Town leans on wines with ingredients that are "simply grapes and time," so visitors know they are getting what they came for — natural wines paired with local goods.

From Scott and Nicole Mattson (owners of Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club) and veteran sommelier Troy Bowen, Noble Riot is one of the most interesting spots to drink natural wine in Denver. It's also one of the best places in Colorado to eat fried chicken — and word is that there's plenty of bottle sabering, too. A well-rounded place! Tasting Table named this one of the best wine bars in the country, and a call out in Conde Nast Traveler says that Noble Riot is "killing it" in a town that's known mainly for beer. The menu spans a satisfying scope, from bottles like a bubbly white blend from Baden, Germany to aged reserva rioja.

Located in the RiNo district, Noble Riot offers a compelling monthly membership known as the "Flight Club." Subscribers get a flight session and discounts on wine classes, plus they can brag that they're members of one of Denver's coolest wine joints. Fans return for the somm-guided mentality, but the selection of delicious snacks doesn't hurt!

Jet Wine Bar claims that it's Philadelphia's "global vineyard," and it features a welcoming and color-splashed outdoor garden that guests love during warmer months. This top-notch bottle shop serves the community with some of the city's most diverse offerings. Founded by archeologist Jill Weber and engineer Evan Malone, this establishment reflects the smart-but-fun vibe of one of the East Coast's coolest cities to eat and drink.

Interesting selections — featured in their "celebration of Austrian wine" and late-night happy hours — provide plenty of drinking diversity. Think of a range that includes a field blend rosé from Lebanon to a red piquette from Slovenia. Wine-friendly shared plates and mains round out an experience that can go from a trip to the bottle shop to an afternoon in the garden to a date night dinner. Keep an eye on Jet Wine Bar's Instagram for event updates — the garden pop-ups are not to be missed. 

With locations in Stowe, Vermont (which also features an outstanding bakery) and Boulder, Colorado, natural wine fans might think they've hit the motherlode after discovering Dedalus Wine. And that's before stopping by the Burlington, Vermont branch, which serves as the town's coolest wine bar — the location also features a restaurant, shop, wine garden, and educational outlet. Free tasting events give guests the opportunity to experience themes such as "under $30 rosé" or sips with a focus on the world's classic wine regions.

While this may sound like a big footprint, it is — making this one of the nation's top independent natural wine bars. Founded by University of Vermont grad Jason Zuliani, the diversity of bottles served in the Dedalus zones is formidable, from standard-bearers of natural Beaujolais to no small number of skin contact selections. Get inspired by the excellent Dedalus blog, which might inspire a mountain-filled road trip from Vermont to Boulder.

With hand-thrown tableware that is worthy of Oregon's reputation for artisanship, Portland's Bar Diane has a relaxed refinement that elevates the natural wine experience. A generous food menu — featuring cool nibbles like tinned seafood and well-rounded, belly-filling entrées such as hanger steak with truffle panisse, almond romesco, and asparagus — make this the rare instance where one should show up to a wine bar hungry.

Owner Sami Gaston (who's also a designer, illustrator, and wine director — check out Bar Diane's website to experience her work) has crafted exciting programs both by the glass and by the bottle. Fans enjoy selections like a crisp Txakoli Rosado from Basque Country and a Malvazija Istarska blend from Croatia. The twinkle-lit garden patio is the place to be for a romantic date or reunion with a wine-loving friend — well-behaved dogs can find a spot outside, too. Hanging with kids? They are welcome at Bar Diane until 7 p.m.

Of all the natural wine bars on this list, San Francisco's Bar Part Time is the place that celebrates music as much as — or more than? — drink. DJ and live artist appearances draw crowds with the same enthusiasm that tasting opportunities do. And that's saying quite a bit, considering the lineup of producers that line the shelves at Bar Part Time.

Founded by Dan Small, Justin Dolezal, and Jeremy Castillo, the concept started as a popup with a necessity-driven shift to online merchandise and wine sales during the pandemic. Guests can try everything from Mediterranean wines from Southern Catalunya to old vine mountain wines from Savoie. Unlike most bottle shops, wine bars, or wineries, Bar Part Time is open until 1 a.m. on the weekends, making it a great place to spend a late night with a group of friends listening to guest DJs spin. (Be sure to check their website for info ahead of time.)

Founded in August 2020, The Cave DSM is a small Midwestern wine shop that has risen to national fame and is recognized as a must-visit spot in Iowa. Owners Nick and Heather Leo established this natural wine foothold in Des Moines' Western Gateway neighborhood and found a warm welcome that even the pandemic couldn't stymie. Locals (and travel journalists) have pegged this spot as a place for the curious tipplers to hang out and chat about wine, food, and music.

With a DJ and live artist schedule, guests come for the wine and stay for the tunes — or perhaps it's the other way around. It doesn't matter what brings people in because there is always something new to try. The bottle shop has an online store that's available for pick up or delivery, which also gives you ample opportunity to browse their range of styles. From lower alcohol Austrian red blends to skin-fermented Bierzo, the selection is on point and ever-changing.

A fixture since 1994 (and Chicago's only wine bar at the time), Webster's Wine Bar is firmly focused on wines produced with low intervention in the vineyard and the cellar. Founded by Janan Asfour and Tom MacDonald — former litigators influenced by the tiny watering holes in Seville, Spain — the duo has now partnered with Tonya Pyatt and her husband Nik Wells. It's no longer at the original, eponymous location on Webster Avenue, but locals still consider it one of the iconic features of the Chicago wine landscape.

Guests of this Logan Square establishment will find delights such as a biodynamic Lambrusco and naturally crafted grüner veltliner from Austria's Kamptal. These can be paired with a tasty selection of bites including fresh oysters, satisfying entrées, and shareable dishes. This is the place to talk with staff about wine travel stories — the team is known to check out producers on the list for themselves.

In 2022, The Four Horsemen wine director Justin Chearno was awarded the James Beard Outstanding Wine Program in the U.S., and the engaged service at this Brooklyn establishment demonstrates the level of detail it takes to rise to such an honor. Chearno has told journalists that he prefers the term restaurant to wine bar, and it's true — the food service definitely has a wow factor. (Chef Nick Curtola also got a James Beard nod in 2022.)

Guests enjoy an extensive organized-by-producer wine list that draws out stars such as Umbrian trebbiano spoletino to magnums of verdicchio from Le Marche. Founded by Brooklyn's own rock star, LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, The Four Horsemen is one of the neighborhood's favorite independent natural wine escapes — fans can even be spotted around town sporting The Four Horsemen gear. New wines are always arriving, so there's never a bad time to check out the selection.

Ruffian managing partner and writer Moshe Schulman has centered this tasting experience around a mostly vegetarian à la carte menu that's been crafted to pair with natural wines. They feature more than 250 wines by the bottle and over 30 wines by the glass. Like skin contact wines? There are over 35 of them on offer at Ruffian at any given time. 

Guests can enjoy a seat on the outdoor patio, indoor bar, or indoor dining room. For a more immersive experience, wine education classes are offered — sessions dive into the wines of Croatia and Northern Austria, but many other varieties are featured on their ever-changing schedule. This is one of the rare natural wine establishments in the U.S. to hold a Michelin Bib Gourmand, and fans recognize this spot for consistency and fun. Intimate showcase dinners bring diners closer to some of the world's most interesting natural wines and producers from around the globe.

With a name that refers to a Greek drinking song, one might expect a lively scene, but Reveler's Hour goes a step further by drawing on the traditions of conversation to build atmosphere. And there's plenty to talk about. From Hungarian welschriesling blends to Chilean cinsault releases, the wine list is intelligent and interesting, making this spot a favorite among Washington DC's wine geeks and writers.

Not simply a wine bar, this wine shop and restaurant has a pasta-focused menu available for its Adams Morgan neighbors featuring dishes such as casarecce cacio e pepe with pecorino, black pepper, and snap peas, and English pea arancini with fontina cheese and Calabrian chili. It's also an excellent reason to visit our nation's capital, thanks to the work of co-owners Jill Tyler, Jon Sybert, and Bill Jensen. The trio also owns nearby Tail Up Goat, which also boasts an outstanding drink menu that includes oxidized and skin-contact whites along with an Austrian riesling selection.

Sommelier, chef, and restaurateur, Bank Atcharawan had a vision for The Patio Wine Garden. And while the name suggests an outdoor vibe, it's actually a comfortable and quiet nook with all indoor seating. It has a reputation as one of the best spots in the neighborhood to share a romantic moment. But the garden theme runs throughout the space, and the menu boasts a plethora of natural wines and Thai-inspired small plates. Formerly a dessert concept spot, guests can now enjoy beer, sake, and cocktails along with the core offerings. If you're stumped, the skilled staff is always eager to suggest recommendations.

From natural wine to house-made espresso, this is a charming spot to spend a long evening — a welcome respite from the typical Las Vegas scene and a bit of an insider secret among locals. Atcharawan is also the owner of Lamaii — a modern restaurant that's also perfect for a date night.

From biodynamic frizzante-grechetto gentile to chillable Georgian red blends, this East Hollywood spot presents natural wine enthusiasts with diverse options. Tabula Rasa Bar has been home to the neighborhood's best natural wine since 2016 and is the sister spot to the historic Silverlake Lounge. Everyone loves when guest DJs stop by, and the vibe is always a good time.

The retail expansion, which includes snacks and merchandise in addition to bottles, came with the pandemic. Tabula Rasa is also known for supporting community causes, such as The Okra Project and East LA Women's Center, and has a strong preference for including women-led winemakers in their mix. Here you'll find one of the coolest natural wine happy hours in Los Angeles, a good reason to come back after snagging a few bottles to take home. And those looking for a late-night scene are rewarded on weekends, with operating hours that bleed into the early morning (always check ahead!).