Hey Chicago wine lovers!
We’re back this week to talk about some of the very best wine bars in Chicago. The city’s wine scene is pretty diverse, and this means this list is going to include some upscale lounges as well as some laid-back places where you don’t have to dress up.
By the way, if this is the first time you’ve found us, we’re the Ben Lalez Team. We’ve been selling a ton of real estate in Chicago over the last decade, but we also pride ourselves on being experts on all things Chicago.
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In the meantime, let’s explore some of the best wine bars in the city (we’re not including suburbs in this article). Let’s get started.
Alpana
Website: http://www.alpanachicago.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kxdr1rdrm7RwKebv6
You’ll find Alpana in Gold Coast, and it was founded by Master Sommelier Alpana Singh. The wine list there is extensive, with 24 pages covering everything from classic Old World labels to newer wines. Alpana’s menu is crafted to complement the wines, with each dish designed with pairings in mind. They have monthly themed tasting flights highlighting different wineries or regions, and it’s a great way to discover rare or unique wines. Overall, it’s an upscale but welcoming experience, and is highly rated on Google.
The Press Room
Website: http://pressroomchicago.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FBGKvmRwVpsSJV7M6
If you’re out in the West Loop, you’ll find The Press Room beneath the Publishing House Bed & Breakfast. It’s a great basement cocktail and wine bar that offers a global selection of more than 70 bottles of wine. There is a warm and intimate ambience, and if you’re hungry, you’re in luck. Customers rave about the food here, and they even have a happy hour featuring oyster and champagne deals. This place is definitely worth checking out!
Webster’s Wine Bar
Website: http://websterwinebar.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rBa6PZc5SHJJbJ5eA
Webster’s Wine Bar has been around a long time and is often mentioned as one of the original wine bars in Chicago. It first opened in Lincoln Park and later moved to Logan Square, where it’s been since 2014. The wine list features many Old World wines, including European vintages, and a strong by-the-glass selection. Along with wine, they serve Portuguese conservas, mostly tinned fish with bread and simple accompaniments, which is something they’ve become known for. Webster’s earned its place on this list as a beloved neighborhood institution.
Rootstock Wine & Beer Bar
Website: http://rootstockbar.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NRKNNJLgmz7dS3ya9
Rootstock has been around since 2009, with a rotating wine list that focuses on small producers and offers many organic and natural wines. You’ll see bottles from less common regions alongside more familiar ones. Food is a big part of why people come here. The menu rotates with the seasons, but the Rootstock burger is always there and is considered one of the best burgers in Chicago. They’re located in Humboldt Park.
Pompette
Website: https://www.pompettechicago.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pKQQDoy16KaWzNnh8
Pompette is in Bucktown and runs more like an all-day neighbourhood spot than a traditional wine bar. They’re open from morning into the evening, so you’ll see people there at all hours of the day. The wine list is more European, especially French, German, and Italian bottles, and it’s built to work with the food rather than stand on its own. The menu is bistro style and changes seasonally, and is created to pair perfectly with the wine on the menu. Pompette is a good choice if you want good food and wine at any hour.
J9 Wine Bar
Website: http://www.j9winebar.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jc5MgtUgb2KmzVrh7
J9 Wine Bar is a small neighborhood wine bar in Lincoln Park that’s been around for years and has a pretty loyal local crowd. The wine list mixes familiar bottles with less common ones, and there’s usually a good range available by the glass. Along with wine, they serve cheese and charcuterie, and they’re also known for doing simple wine pairings with different potato chips. It’s a great place to have a glass of wine and start the evening off.
John’s Food & Wine
Website: http://www.johnsfoodandwine.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MxSwjjj8P76Pq8DD7
John’s Food & Wine is a casual counter-service spot also in Lincoln Park. The kitchen is led by a Michelin-accredited chef, and the wine list is stellar, mixing well-known producers with other bottles that will delight the ‘wine nerds.’ The design of the list itself has a tongue-in-cheek charm, showing that John’s has a sense of humor alongside its deep wine knowledge. John’s has become a go-to for people who want good food and a serious wine list.
Le Midi Wine
Website: https://www.lemidiwine.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9anSsFMWTDFE2Tft5
Le Midi is a wine bar and wine shop that’s modeled after European wine bars. It was opened by Craig Perman and Seth Wilson, both longtime industry people. You can stop in for a glass, have something small to eat, and also buy a bottle to take home. The wine list changes often and covers a wide range of regions, with a mix of Old World and New World bottles. The food is intentionally simple, things like prosciutto or marinated mushrooms, meant to pair with the wine rather than distract from it. The owners are often there themselves, pouring and talking through the list if you want help. They’re located in Wicker Park next time you’re in the neighborhood.
Apero
Website: https://www.aperochicago.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/DjYa7FjgXzr34iR66
Apero is a small wine bar built around the idea of the apéritif. It was opened by Robert Cervantes and focuses mostly on biodynamic wines from small producers. There’s an emphasis on orange and skin contact wines, and it’s not unusual to see bottles from places like Jura or Georgia on the list. The menu changes with the seasons and serves small plates, making it easy to order a few things and try different wines without turning it into a full dinner. Apero brings a bit of Parisian wine bar culture to Chicago’s North Side. Give them a try next time you’re in the area!
Outside Voices
Website: https://www.outsidevoiceswine.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/SsmHVBY71QpxYQNN6
Outside Voices is a natural wine bar in Logan Square, with a rotating list that includes things like pét nats, orange wines, and chillable reds. Expect more playful wines and fewer traditional ones. They have a large patio out back that gets a lot of use when the weather’s good. Along with wine, they serve snacks like a giant soft pretzel and a solid charcuterie board. You won’t find a large selection of wine like at some other venues, but it’s a comfortable place to enjoy a glass with some good snacks.
Good Funk
Website: https://www.goodfunkchicago.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/z2fmH3VBPZtxkcf2A
GoodFunk is run by the Bonhomme Hospitality group and has locations downtown and in West Town. The wine list is intentionally tight, with a small rotating selection by the glass that usually includes reds, whites, and skin contact wines. The bottles change often, so there’s almost always something different from the last visit. A lot of the wines are unfiltered and a bit earthy, and the staff can help you choose one if you don’t know where to start. It’s not a place with hundreds of options, but that’s kind of the point. GoodFunk has become a hot spot for downtown professionals and wine adventurers looking for something different from the conventional wine bar.
Pops for Champagne
Website: http://popsforchampagne.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/brFac14ErC2LVrac8
Pops for Champagne has been around for decades and is known mainly for one thing: Champagne. It’s often mentioned as the oldest Champagne bar in the country, and you’ll find a deep selection of over 200+ champagnes that include everything from big name houses to smaller grower producers. They also run regular tastings and events that center on different Champagne styles and producers. If you’re a fan of the bubbly, you’ll most certainly want to check them out.
The Tasting Room at Chicago Winery
Website: https://www.chiwinery.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B3JuMAnGnEdFDk1Z9
Chicago Winery is an urban winery and tasting room in River North where the wine is made on site. They source grapes from partner vineyards and vinify everything in the building, so you can order a glass or a flight and see the production area at the same time. The space also includes a full-service restaurant, and the menu is built with the wines in mind. You’ll see pairings suggested alongside the dishes, and it’s easy to turn a tasting into a full dinner. They also offer tours and guided tastings for a closer look at how the wines are made and what goes into each bottle.
Angelo’s Wine Bar
Website: http://angeloswinebar.toast.site/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8YCg7jFAPcyLGmPZ9
Angelo’s Wine Bar has been around in one form or another since the 1960s, originally opening as a neighborhood pizzeria before being reworked into a wine-focused spot in 2016. Wednesday nights are known for half-price bottles and live jazz, so that’s a good night to pop by if it’s your first time. They also have great Italian food, and they’re a neighborhood favorite in Albany Park.
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar
Website: http://www.volorestaurant.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xSkVmN1hV1aYtzETA
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar has been around for years and is tucked away on a quieter street in Roscoe Village. The wine list focuses on smaller producers and changes often, with a mix of familiar and less common bottles. Along with wine, they serve cheese and small plates that are easy to share. One of the main draws is the patio, which is enclosed in the winter and used year-round. Sipping wine under the stars (or snowflakes) at Volo’s patio is a beloved experience for many locals. We think you’ll love it too.
Bronzeville Winery
Website: https://www.bronzevillewinery.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wNmjfD7G3c282Qx88
Bronzeville Winery is a winery and restaurant in Bronzeville that puts a spotlight on Black-owned and women-owned wine producers. The wine list features bottles and by-the-glass options you don’t see in many other places. The space also hosts events, live music, and community-focused programming, and it’s quickly become a social hub for the South Side’s burgeoning wine scene.
Beautiful Rind
Website: http://www.beautifulrind.com/
Google Reviews: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xyXXznmnkxZtDZcLA
Beautiful Rind is a cheese shop and wine bar in Logan Square that focuses on pairing cheese with wine. They rotate wines by the glass regularly and choose them based on the cheeses they’re featuring. You can also pick any bottle from the shop and have it opened for a small corkage fee, which gives you a lot of flexibility. They run pairing classes and tastings fairly often, and happy hour usually includes discounted half-bottles and cheese boards. If you like wine and cheese, this is your heaven!
Final Thoughts
If wine is not your thing, we’ve written about other places you can get your drink on. There are upcoming whiskey and tequila tasting events here. We’ve recently featured holiday cocktails and drinks you can make at home if you’re snowed in. Or if you’re looking for Chicago’s most historic bars, we’ve covered that too.
And of course, if you’re considering moving neighborhoods or you’re relocating to Chicago for the first time, we are the best real estate team in Chicago to help you. Give us a shout, and our team will be glad to share our insights.
