CHICAGO | Where are the best wine bars in Chicago? Whether you are looking to impress a date or catch up with friends, our guide to Chicago’s best wine bars has you covered. No matter your budget, or whether you’re well versed in wine styles and grape varietals or just know that you enjoy what you like, here are some of the best places to drink wine in Chicago.
RM Champagne Salon
Tucked away steps off of Restaurant Row, you discover RM Champagne Salon. As the name suggests, the specialty is Champagne. We love to meet friends or a date on the outdoor patio, which feels like a hidden gem tucked away from the bustle of West Loop. The bar’s unique design blends Parisian chic and Moroccan style. RM Champagne specializes in sparkling wines from Champagne and beyond. The space is filled with tea lights and vintage lamps which make it feel very intimate and inviting.
RM Champagne Salon
116 N Green Street
Chicago
Illinois 60607
United States
D.O.C. Wine Bar (Lincoln Park)
D.O.C. Wine Bar is named after Italy’s classification system for controlling wine production. D.O.C offers a wide selection of wines by the glass and the bottle from around the globe and rotating theme of wine flights. The current wine flight selection is named for “Chicago Icons” including Jim Belushi, Bill Murray, and Betty White. Head to D.O.C on Sundays for $10 wine flights and Mondays for 50% off bottles $99 and under.
D.O.C. Wine Bar (Lincoln Park)
2602 N Clark Street
Chicago
Illinois 60614
United States
Bin 36
What do you get when you combine a word referring to a case of wine and a lucky number? The answer is Bin 36. The motto at Bin 36 is “Drink Wine. Live Well. Have Fun.” Since moving from River North to the West Loop under new ownership, it is now go to place to meet friends or a date after a long day in the office. Bin 36 are committed to educating their customers, and every day staff are reminded how important it is to make sure that when guests leave, they leave having learned something new about wine or food and wine pairings for example. On that note, Bin 36 offers wine classes, customized food pairings, and special wine dinners.
Bin 36
161 N Jefferson Street
Chicago
Illinois 60661
United States
Webster’s Wine Bar
Come for the wine, stay for the charcuterie. Webster’s Wine Bar was opened in 1994 by a husband-wife team who left their corporate careers to realize their dream of running a European-style wine bar. Webster’s relocated from its original Lincoln Park location to Logan Square in 2014 and since then has expanded its range to offer over 500 international wines. It’s not just about wine either. Webster’s has an impressive beer list and offers amazing small plates to pair with your drinks. Webster’s has won numerous awards over the years, including the honor of being named one of the top five wine bars in the country by The Wall Street Journal.
There are a changing list of daily specials, but the current Wednesday special is one that is sure to bring a laugh: Glou-Glou night (translated to “glug-glug”), with the implication that the wine is so good you cannot stop drinking. The bar offers a special bottle at a $5 discount for those who choose to drink it straight from the bottle without glasses!
Webster’s Wine Bar
2601 N Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago
Illinois 60614
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar
Chef Stephen Dunne teamed up with Jon Young, the person behind the popular Kitsch’n on Roscoe to open Volo Restaurant Wine Bar in 2005. It offers a sophisticated but relaxed vibe in Roscoe Village and, in the words of Young, “what makes us so unique is the space that combines cosy/chic with urban vintage charm and acclaimed year-round cabana patio.” Volo features a highly a carefully picked list of over 30 boutique wines by the flight, glass, half glass, 1/3rd bottle carafe, and bottle with over a 1/3rd of the list priced below $45/bottle.
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar
2008 W Roscoe Street
Chicago
Illinois 60618
The Bristol
The Bristol has been a Bucktown neighborhood favorite since it opened in 2010. Yes, it’s a restaurant but we have been consistently impressed but its comprehensive wine offering. It’s not often you find wine from lesser known wine producing countries like Austria, Slovenia, and Greece on a menu in Chicago. We love the wine dinners that the Bristol regularly holds, where winemakers are invited to come in showcase their special vintages paired with deliciously prepared cuisine by the Bristol’s talented chefs.
The Bristol also run fun and interesting courses too. For anyone looking to extend their repository of party tricks for example, the Bristol recently ran a class on sabering bottles of Champagne. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for upcoming events.
The Bristol
2152 N Damen Avenue
Chicago
Illinois 60647
United States
Rootstock
Eight years ago, three former Webster’s Wine Bar employees founded Rootstock, which specializes in small production wine and beer selections, emphasizing organic and bio-dynamic farming practices. The owners of Rootstock have remain committed to their mission of serving products with highly ethical farming and growing standards that are fresh, organic, and local.
As well as wine, Rootstock also has a charcuterie, cheese, and dinner menu, all of which change daily based on what’s available locally and good on the day. We recommend stopping in for their delicious Sunday brunch menu and staying for an afternoon glass of wine. While you’re there, make sure you check out the artwork that’s for sale – it showcases local artists.
Rootstock
954 N California Avenue
Chicago
Illinois 60622
United States
Ampersand Wine Bar
Ampersand Wine Bar is a Ravenswood neighborhood favorite. Chef and Proprietor Darren McGraw has trained with some of the world’s most prestigious chefs, including Charlie Trotter as his head pastry chef in Chicago. Chef McGraw has created a full dinner menu, along with small plates and desserts, which pair nicely with his wine and craft cocktail offerings.
Ampersand offers traditional table seating, as well as communal tables which work great for a large group and for Chicago’s social butterflies.
Ampersand Wine Bar
4845 N Damen Street
Chicago
Illinois 60625
United States
Joe’s Wine Cellar
Joe’s Wine Cellar in Wicker Park is known for its state of the art WineStation. This unique store format allows for customers to buy a card (there are various $ values available) which can be used in the WineStation to sample wines by taste-sized portions: half glass or full glass. We keep our card handy as it can be refilled at each visit and also can be purchased as a nice gift.
Joe’s allows for their space to be rented out to groups, making the store a really fun place to gather with friends, share a glass, and sample some gourmet cheeses and other delicious hors d’oeuvres. In addition to this, the shop carries a well-selected variety of craft beers from all over the world, as well as both traditional and hard-to-find spirits. Check out their frequently updated website for upcoming events which celebrate the art and enjoyment of wine and beer.
Joe’s Wine Cellar
201 W Division Street
Chicago
Illinois 60622
United States
Pops For Champagne
Located in River North, Pops for Champagne boasts nearly 250 champagne choices, as well as a full bar menu and seasonal small plates. Pops features live music and is the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. When we’re after a glass of bubbly, Pops is always up for consideration.
Pops also offers a rewards program whereby members receive $50 back for every $500 spent and invitations to exclusive events and tastings.
Pops For Champagne
601 N State Street
Chicago
Illinois 60654
United States
Where’s your favourite wine bar in Chicago? Is there a great wine bar you love that you think should be on this list? Let us know in the comments section below.