Best wine bar in every state

Written by:
May 9, 2018
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Best wine bars in every state

There's a reason why t-shirts like "Rosé All Day" have started showing up at brunches everywhere: people love wine. In fact, wine is more popular than ever before in the United States. Americans drank a staggering 949 gallons of wine in 2016 which averaged out to 2.94 gallons of wine per person. That's almost 15 bottles of wine per person over the course of a year! Those figures also happen to be the highest numbers since the data was first collected in 1934. So where is all that wine being consumed? At home and in restaurants, for sure, but also in wine bars which are now a $2 billion dollar a year industry. With so many wine bars to choose from these days, how are you supposed to know which one is the best option?

By combing through Foursquare Search, Stacker was able to identify the best wine bar in every state. Foursquare's algorithm uses check-ins, rating signals, category matches, and more to predict the "best" option based on geographic location. Find your state in the list and check out the top wine bar near you.

Alabama: The Wine Loft

Address: 2200 1st Ave N Birmingham, AL 35203

Foursquare Rating: 8.7

With 70 wines by the glass and over 200 bottles from around the globe, The Wine Loft has something for every wine lover. Pair those vinos with a gourmet tapas menu and a great date night is on the horizon.

Alaska: Crow’s Nest

Address: 939 W 5th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501

Foursquare Rating: 8.6

Located on top of the high-end Hotel Captain Cook, Crow’s Nest offers 360° views of the gorgeous natural beauty of Anchorage. The wine cellar here boasts more than 10,000 bottles, so don’t be afraid to consult the sommelier for some help.

Arizona: Postino Winecafé

Address: 3939 E Campbell Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85018

Foursquare Rating: 9.3

Postino opened in a vacant post office in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood back in 2001. Since then, the wine bar has expanded to locations in Arizona, Colorado, and Texas; all pouring 27 wines by the glass.

Arkansas: By The Glass

Address: 5713 Kavanaugh Blvd. Little Rock, AR 72207

Foursquare Rating: 8.5

This Little Rock favorite lists their large selection of wines by the glass and bottle on a chalkboard for ease of rotation. For hungry wine drinkers, there’s a well-curated menu that focuses heavily on cheese from around the world.

California: Hotel Biron

Address: 45 Rose St. San Francisco, CA 94102

Foursquare Rating: 9.2

Don’t be fooled by the name, this intimate wine bar isn’t actually a hotel. While you’re enjoying your wine, make sure to look up and see the ceiling lined with old wine bottle corks.

Colorado: Lala's Wine Bar & Pizzeria

Address: 410 E 7th Ave. Denver, CO 80203

Foursquare Rating: 8.9

Wine and pizza are a perfect pairing at this Denver mainstay. Come early for happy hour between 3-6pm where a glass of wine is just $5.

Connecticut: Barcelona Wine Bar Restaurant

Address: 222 Summer St. Stamford, CT 06901

Foursquare Rating: 9.0

This is the first appearance of Barcelona on our list, but with locations in seven states (plus D.C.), it’s no wonder that the wine and tapas bar has fans all over. This location is in the heart of Stamford’s bustling downtown.

 

Delaware: Eden

Address: 23 Baltimore Ave. Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Foursquare Rating: 8.6

Eden’s wine list is so adored, it’s earned the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 2004. They offer a wide selection of wines by the glass and even have a section for “Cute… But Powerful Half Bottles.

District of Columbia: Barcelona Wine Bar

Address: 1622 14th St. NW Washington, D.C. 20009

Foursquare Rating: 9.2

D.C. is another city with love for the Barcelona Wine Bar. Washington Post critic Tom Sietsema bestowed 1.5 stars on the Spanish-inspired establishment back in 2014, asking the all-important question: “Who can resist an outdoor court with a fire pit, and a dining room and bar that suggest an urban forest for all their wood, stone and light?”

Florida: Lagniappe House

Address: 3425 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, FL 33137

Foursquare Rating: 9.4

Miami’s Lagniappe House has earned a place on some very exclusive lists over the years, from Wine Enthusiast’s “Top 20 Wine Bars in America” to Thrillist’s “21 Best Wine Bars in the Country.” With live music from 9pm until midnight every night and a killer wine menu, it’s no wonder they wound up on this list, too.

Georgia: Barcelona Wine Bar Inman Par

Address: 240 N Highland Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 30307

Foursquare Rating: 9.1

Have you heard about Barcelona Wine Bar? Of course you have! This is the third state where Barcelona has topped the Foursquare charts and that means the brand has really dialed in the consistency across all of their locations.

Hawaii: Amuse Wine Bar

Address: 1250 Kapiolani Blvd. Honolulu, HI 96814

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

Amuse exists inside Honolulu’s Stage Restaurant in the Honolulu Design Center. Live music nightly brings people in, but the real star of the show is the innovative wine system that dispenses bottles an ounce at a time so you can create the wine tasting of your dreams.

Idaho: Bardenay

Address: 1710 W Riverstone Dr. Coeur D’Alene, ID 83814

Foursquare Rating: 8.9

Billed as “the nation’s first restaurant distillery,” Bardenay doesn’t just focus on spirits. They also offer a wide range of wines from California, the Pacific Northwest, and Europe.

Illinois: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Address: 15690 S Harlem Ave. Orland Park, IL 60462

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

This chain rivals Barcelona for how beloved it is among wine lovers. Cooper’s Hawk has locations in nine states and the upscale brand’s claim to fame is that it only offers its own award-winning wines.

Indiana: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Address: 3815 E 96th St. Indianapolis, IN 46240

Foursquare Rating: 9.2

The Cooper’s Hawk Winery is so popular in Indianapolis and beyond that it produces roughly 573,000 cases of wine every year. That’s more than 6.8 million bottles!

Iowa: Della Viti

Address: 323 Main St. Ames, IA 50010

Foursquare Rating: 8.6

You won’t need a bartender at Della Viti, where Napa Technology WineStations allow any guest to pour their own wine in various denominations (1.5oz, 2.75oz, 5oz.) from over forty different bottles.

Kansas: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Address: 4686 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64112

Foursquare Rating: 9.3

Another Cooper’s Hawk makes the list! The Kansas City branch of the large chain serves the same lineup of CH favorites, including the Cooper’s Hawk Lux Meritage which has won 22 awards.

Kentucky: Napa River Grill

1211 Herr Ln. Louisville, KY 40222

Foursquare Rating: 8.1

A Wine Spectator “Award of Excellence” winner, the Napa River Grill attempts to recreate the charm of Napa in Louisville with a full list of some of the biggest names in wine like Caymus and Cakebread.

 

Louisiana: Bacchanal Wine

Address: 600 Poland Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117

Foursquare Rating: 9.7

Not just the #1 wine bar in Louisiana, Bacchanal actually rates as Foursquare’s overall #1 wine bar in the United States. It’s easy to see why with an amazing list of small-production old world wines and a stunning outdoor courtyard space in which to enjoy them.

Maine: Northern Union

Address: 261 Shore Rd. Ogunquit, ME 03907

Foursquare Rating: 8.7

This cozy bar/restaurant is just half a mile from Maine’s coastline and the interior looks like it was made for the pages of glossy travel magazines. There’s no shortage of wine here and the seasonally-inspired menu skews French thanks to chef Romann Dumorne.

 

Maryland: Black Ankle Vineyards

Address: 14463 Black Ankle Rd. Mount Airy, MD 21771

Foursquare Rating: 9.4

Black Ankle has been making their own wines since 2006 in the hills of Maryland’s famed Mount Airy region. Guests can visit the winery for a tasting and sample five of the vineyard’s wines for $16.

Massachusetts: Barcelona Wine Bar

Address: 525 Tremont St. Boston, MA 02116

Foursquare Rating: 9.0

Tapas and wine go together perfectly, which is why Barcelona has claimed the top spot as best wine bar in yet another state. This location in Boston’s Back Bay is well-situated for the luxury shoppers in Boston’s renowned Copley Place.

Michigan: Motor City Wine

Address: 1949 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI 48216

Foursquare Rating: 8.6

Wine Enthusiast describes Motor City Wine as “part wine bar, part bargain wine shop” since all bottles for sale cost $20 or less. Detroit wine fans head here for live music and affordable vino.

Minnesota: Domacin Wine Bar

Address: 102 2nd St. S Stillwater, MN 55082

Foursquare Rating: 8.7

The Domacin wine list features over 650 options to choose from, which may explain why Travel + Leisure called it one of America’s Best Wine Bars (#13, to be exact). Stillwater is roughly a half-hour from Minneapolis and definitely worth the drive.

 

Mississippi: CAET

Address: 3100 N State St. #102 Jackson, MS 39216

Foursquare Rating: 7.5

Catering to Jackson’s cosmopolitan crowd, CAET (pronounced “Kate”) serves 30 wines by the glass every night. Pair your wine with their eclectic Southern-tinged global menu featuring inventive dishes like cauliflower saganaki and pork belly grilled cheese.

Missouri: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

Address: 4686 Broadway Kansas City, MO 64112

Foursquare Rating: 9.3

Another state, another Cooper’s Hawk victory as best wine bar. They’re clearly doing something right. While Cooper’s Hawk devotees can enjoy their wines in the restaurant, they can also take bottles home with them at reduced prices.

Montana: Plonk

Address: 29 E Main St. Bozeman, MT 59715

Foursquare Rating: 8.6

Plonk has two locations in Montana but the Bozeman branch takes the honors here for its upscale casual fine-dining atmosphere and a wine list that features bottles from all over the world.

Nebraska: La Buvette Wine & Grocery

Address: 551 S 11th St. Omaha, NE 68102

Foursquare Rating: 8.6

Since 1991, La Buvette has anchored the Old Market district of Omaha with its multi-purpose cafe/wine bar/gourmet grocery shop. Instead of marking up their bottle prices like most restaurants, La Buvette allows customers to pick a bottle off the store shelves at standard retail prices and pay a modest corkage fee to open it at the table.

Nevada: Vintner Grill

Address: 10100 W Charleston Blvd. Ste. 150 Las Vegas, NV 89135

Foursquare Rating: 9.0

Vintner Grill offers fine dining for Vegas locals just down the street from the Red Rock Casino Resort. Order one of their wine flights to taste your way through multiple vintages.

 

New Hampshire: Rudi's Market Square

Address: 5 Congress St. Portsmouth, NH 03801

Foursquare Rating: 8.2

Opened in 2012 on the site of a historic Portsmouth restaurant location, Rudi’s is the perfect spot for people watching on Market Square with a central bar serving over 50 varieties of wine in a classy atmosphere. Pay special attention to the wines offered via the bar’s Cruvinet system that keeps the bottles at optimal temperature for weeks to prevent spoilage.

New Jersey: Bin 14

Address: 1314 Washington St. Hoboken, NJ 07030

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

Hoboken’s first wine bar opened in 2008 and Bin 14 has been drawing rave reviews ever since, thanks to an Italian-inspired menu with over 75 wines by the glass in an “industrial chic” setting featuring exposed brick walls and a marble bar.

New Mexico: St. Clair Winery & Bistro

Address: 1720 Avenida de Mesilla Las Cruces, NM 88005

Foursquare Rating: 9.0

St. Clair is more than just a wine bar. It’s a miniature wine universe with a 180 acre vineyard, a full-service winery capable of processing 500,000 gallons of wine, and a storied history detailing six generations of the Lescombes family making wine across three continents.

New York: Corkbuzz

Address: 13 E 13th St. New York, NY 10003

Foursquare Rating: 9.3

The flagship location of this mini-chain sits in New York City’s Union Square right across from the Green Market which provides year-round access to the freshest produce around. They offer a wide range of labels but also emphasize education with a full roster of wine education classes each month.

North Carolina: Battery Park Book Exchange And Champagne Bar

Address: 1 Page Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801

Foursquare Rating: 9.4

Book lovers and wine lovers exist in harmony at this hybrid wine bar/used book shop. Sip a glass of merlot and get lost in a mystery novel on one of the shops comfy leather couches. They’ll even purchase your own used books so you can afford another glass of Champagne.

North Dakota: Off the Vine

Address: 15 Main St. S Minot, ND 58701

Foursquare Rating: 7.9

Billed as “Minot’s premiere wine destination,” Off the Vine focuses on small boutique wineries, local vineyards, and a mix of bottles from around the world in order to appeal to every kind of wine fan. Beer lovers also have plenty of options here and there’s a full menu of small plates to pair with whatever you’re drinking.

Ohio: Cooper's Hawk

Address: 4230 The Strand Columbus, OH 43219

Foursquare Rating: 9.2

Ohio’s favorite wine bar also happens to be the choice of Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, and Missouri. Once a year, Rob Warren, the winemaker at Cooper’s Hawk, creates a blend that he calls the Barrel Reserve. Only one barrel is sent to each restaurant, so it’s wise to make a special trip as soon as the barrel is released in order to enjoy it before it’s gone. 

Oklahoma: Vintage 1740

Address: 1740 S Boston Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119

Foursquare Rating: 8.3

Located due south of Tulsa’s downtown, this tiny wine bar aims for an intimate setting with plenty of wine. As Tulsa’s first wine bar, they’re proud to offer over 60 wines with a special emphasis on rare finds for their Vintage 1740 Reserve List.

Oregon: Edgefield Winery

Address: 2126 SW Halsey St. Troutdale, OR 97060

Foursquare Rating: 8.9

Edgefield is one of the crown jewels in the McMenamins portfolio, a Pacific Northwest hospitality group that takes legendary properties and converts them into new hotels and resorts. Edgefield Winery supplies the wine for the whole brand with 350 tons of grapes crushed annually and it sits on a sprawling resort that also offers a distillery, brewery, hotel, spa, concert venue, bars, restaurants, golf, and more.

Pennsylvania: Tria

123 S 18th St. Philadelphia, PA 19103

Foursquare Rating: 9.3

Casual but sophisticated, Tria provides Philadelphians with the finest in wine, cheese, and beer. You won’t find TVs or karaoke here, but there’s plenty to talk about with their gourmet light bites and extensive selection of wines by the glass broken into fun categories like “Funky Reds” and “Luscious Whites.”

 

Rhode Island: The Twisted Vine

Address: 3 Canal St. Westerly, RI 02891

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

Pat Isted and his family run The Twisted Vine in downtown Westerly just over the state line dividing Rhode Island from Connecticut. The wine list includes some local wines from the Eastern seaboard as well as California classics and global favorites, as well.

South Carolina: Bin 152

Address: 152 King St. Charleston, SC 29401

Foursquare Rating: 9.1

This adorable wine bar sits in Charleston’s French Quarter and also serves as an art gallery and antiques shop. Forty different wines are offered by the glass as well as 40 selections of cheese and charcuterie.

South Dakota: The Market

Address: 196 E 6th St. Sioux Falls, SD 57104

Foursquare Rating: 8.2

This combination wine bar/gourmet foods store brings the small batch ethos to South Dakota with 365 different labels to choose from; a full menu of culinary enticements including a house-made charred scallion sausage and local buffalo salami; and a wide range of exotic and artisanal products on their grocery shelves.

Tennessee: Cru Bistro & Wine Bar

Address: 141 S Gay St. Knoxville, TN 37902

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

The folks behind Cru are well-known in Knoxville for their other restaurant concepts and now they’re introducing Knoxville drinkers to the joys of the wine bar bistro. OpenTable named them a Diner’s Choice in 2018 with an eclectic menu drawing on transnational flavors and a happy hour where house wine is just $3 a glass.

Texas: 13 Celsius

Address: 3000 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77004

Foursquare Rating: 9.4

The key tenet of 13 Celsius is to serve all of their wines at the perfect temperature: 13℃ (55.4℉). This self-proclaimed “European wine bar” sits in a reclaimed 1920s Mediterranean-style building with an open-air courtyard and a 40-foot bar made from Carrera marble.

Utah: BTG Wine Bar

Address: 63 W 100 S Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Foursquare Rating: 7.8

BTG stands for “by the glass,” and the name proves true with 75 wines offered in portions as small as two ounces each. Located right across from the City Creek Center, BTG also serves a full food menu from its sister restaurant Caffe Molise.

Vermont: North Branch Tea & Wine

Address: 41 State St. Montpelier, VT 05602

Foursquare Rating: 8.4

As if wine and tea weren’t enough of an odd couple, The North Branch also offers tech support services to Vermonters in need. In addition, they sell crafts from local artisans, art by the owner, and a complete roster of pastries from local bakeries making this one of the most eclectic shops in America.

Virginia: Screwtop Wine Bar

Address: 1025 N Fillmore St. Arlington, VA 22201

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

Screwtop is known for their wine, cheese, and charcuterie. Cozy up to the bar and get a professionally paired flight of your favorites or hit the retail section to have a wine and cheese party at home.

Washington: Purple Café & Wine Bar

Address: 1225 4th Ave. Seattle, WA 98101

Foursquare Rating: 9.1

Purple has locations throughout the Seattle area and they pride themselves on a worldwide wine list connected to seasonal Pacific Northwest flavors on their cafe menu.

West Virginia: The Wine Bar at Vintner Valley

Address: 510 Burroughs St. Morgantown, WV 26505

Foursquare Rating: 8.5

Modeled after neighborhood trattorias in southern Italy, The Wine Bar at Vintner Valley has an impressive wine list with big names like Opus and Far Niente all available to pair with their menu of Italian favorites.

Wisconsin: Balzac

Address: 1716 N Arlington Pl. Milwaukee, WI 53202

Foursquare Rating: 8.7

Milwaukee’s Balzac doesn’t just offer wine by the glass or bottle. They also offer four wines on beer-like taps to maintain the highest standards of freshness.

Wyoming: Bin22

Address: 200 W Broadway Ave. Jackson, WY 83001

Foursquare Rating: 8.8

Jackson Hole has been attracting a high-end ski crowd for years and Bin22 aims to serve them and wine lovers from all over the world with their Eataly-inspired concept consisting of a wine bar, bottle shop, specialty grocery section, and restaurant.

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