The Best Wine Bars In The Country
From old-school haunts to new-age joints
Whether you prefer your wine organic, strictly European or even on tap, America's best wine bars have something for everyone. From New York to San Francisco, these are the most gorgeous spots across the country: old-school haunts, new-age joints and backyard garden spots included.
Michaela Trimble is a nomadic travel writer and photographer previously based in New York. Follow her on the road on Instagram @michaelatrimble.
Lois
Set in New York's East Village, Lois is Manhattan's first draft wine bar making pairings both fun and affordable. With 16 varieties on tap, this mod spot serves Argentine Malbec, Italian Pinot Grigio and even wine shots—Provençal rosé swirled with fresh whip is a hit. Pair your favorite glass with small plates like spicy avocado arepas and candied pepitas from the same team behind Aida's elevated bar snacks.
Photo: Paul Wagtouicz
Haley.Henry Wine Bar
This neighborhood bar seats 26 and features around 50 rare-run wines from small producers of varietals like French Sancerre, German Riesling and Spanish Albariño. Pair a glass with boquerones drenched in olive oil, Washington State smoked oysters, or crudo and ceviche small plates.
Photo: Brian Samuels
Webster's Wine Bar
At Webster's in Chicago's Logan Square, select from around 30 wines by the glass and from more than 500 labels in the bar's cellar, one of the largest and oldest collections in the city. With a relaxed, minimalist ethos, Webster's serves rare, limited-quantity wines, while hosting wine classes and tastings. Pair your glass with parsley pommes frites and grilled octopus.
Photo: Webster's Wine Bar via Facebook
Lagniappe
Delightfully free of house music, Lagniappe is a Miami nightlife oasis. Inspired by a classic New Orleans parlor, this winehouse corks more than 150 bottles, paired with cheese and charcuterie spreads and South America-inspired churrasco feasts. Order craft wines from small-batch vineyards during an evening in Lagniappe's backyard, where you can enjoy live music every night of the week.
Bacchanal
The Big Easy's jovial spirit comes to life at Bacchanal, a cocktail bar and old-world wineshop, replete with a courtyard garden where you can imbibe while jazz bands croon tunes seven days a week. Select your small-production bottle of choice, then pair it with a myriad of Mediterranean plates, like braised pork shoulder with smoked tomatoes and cotija cheese.
Photo: Bacchanal via Facebook
Winebelly
Spanish tapas meet Austin's Southern charm at Winebelly, a favorite neighborhood haunt. Enjoy affordable wine-paired small plates with friends—think patatas bravas and cured anchovies. The wine list includes 40 wines by the glass and 150 by the bottle, hailing everywhere from California to Campania; plus, every Sunday and Monday, Winebelly features half-price bottles.
Photo: Winebelly via Facebook
L'Oursin
Seafood and natural wine merge at L'Oursin, Seattle's finest French bistro. Wine director Kathryn Olson gets bonus points for her poetic wine descriptions; she profiles an Oregon Pinot Gris as "kisses, peach pits and hippy tits." Select from French classics like soup en croûte and foie gras with sea urchin mousse, and pair it with a Pacific Northwest or French organic wine.
Photo: Vicky Wasik
Dame
At Dame, Portland's newest wine bar and restaurant, order from a list of artisanal, chemical-free wines and a seafood-forward menu of raw oysters and mahogany clams. Pouring more than 100 varieties of organic and biodynamically grown wines from around the world, this old-world bar mostly features European wines (the unanimous heart of natural winemaking) but also has homegrown varieties from Oregon and California.
Photo: Carly Diaz
The Riddler
Chambongs, jeroboams, Miller High Life ponies and caviar Champagne shots deck the menu at The Riddler, San Francisco's first wine bar dedicated to bubbly. Select from more than 100 varieties of sparkling wine, paired with tater tot waffles topped with smoked salmon and crème fraîche, and take advantage of the free, self-serve popcorn machine. Plus, there's gratis Champagne sabering.
Photo: Kassier Borreson