The Wine Bar scene in Washington DC has blown up in recent years. Not only does it offer a tonne of high quality drinking establishments but a plethora of wines and grape varieties from across the globe. This popularity continues to grow as consumption in the state increases. According to Vinepair’s map of wine consumption; Washington D.C’s consumption per capita comes out on top across the USA with 1.01 gallons consumed per person.
Flight Wine Bar
This popular neighborhood wine bar specializes in (you guessed it) wine tasting flights! Offering a great way to sample different wines style and drink your way around their current glass list.
Flight’s husband and wife team are both sommeliers that have travelled the globe to select wines for their extensively curated list. Expect a selection of 22 wine flights and a glass list with more than 30 different styles and origins.
Maxwell Park
Before opening, Maxwell Park with partners and local sommelliers Niki Lang and Daniel Runnerstrom; Brent Kroll had already established a reputation in the D.C. wine scene. while working at the Neighborhood Restaurant Group and Proof. This friendly laidback bar with its casual vibe in the Shaw neighborhood is popular with both locals and business people.
Eastern Wine Bar
This neighborhood wine bar is committed to making wine approachable and enjoyable for everyone. Situated in the center of Eastern Market on Capitol Hill it has with a patio with outside seating.
Established by same owners behind the Whiskey Lounge, Barrel with sommelier Robert Morin in charge; there is a selection of over 40 wines available by the glass or bottle. Walfer Hernandez, the executive chef also offers a menu of small plates, charcuteries, and cheese . Robert Morin, the general manager and sommelier, is in charge of the experienced management group.
Cork Wine Bar & Market
Despite consolidating its operations (into a two-story market area at 14th and S Streets NW) Cork Wine Bar remains committed to advocating Old World wines from across the whole of Europe. Wines by the glass are available in a variety of prices starting at around $10. Dinner has hot and cold dishes that are paired with the wine list.
Era
Era Wine Bar is a wine bar that offers exquisite small dishes and over 100 bottles or wine by the glass. Owners Michelle and Ka-ton Grant, a couple who have lived in the neighborhood since 2018. The first-time restaurateurs are wine aficionado who have travelled to sourced small producers, organic and biodynamic varieties, and support wineries run by women. For those in the military and overseas service, there is also a membership club and concierge service.
Apéro & La Bohème
Washington DC’s only wine and cocktail bar specializing in Champagne and caviar. A variety of French cuisine based small plates, snacks and a variety of wines by the glass are served throughout the day
St Vincent Wine Bar
St. Vincent’s expansive 4,000 square foot terrace is tucked away in Park View and is the perfect place to unwind with a wide variety of wines, drinks, and charcuterie. Bacchanal, a well-known bar in New Orleans, served as inspiration for the internet store, which offers a wide selection of items that may be picked up. Weekends feature live music at the 2-year-old fixture’s wood-framed cocktail bar in the back.
No Kisses Bar
Fans of natural wines absolutely need to visit No Kisses based in Park View. A cool, melancholy vibe is produced with fluorescent, color-changing ceiling tiles and plush, forest green banquettes. The bar that is open Friday and Saturday nights; shares a backyard garden with Sonny’s Pizza, the establishment next door. They also offer a decent selection of wines via their online bottle shop.
Primrose
This Brooklyn style restaurant has a quirky wine selection complimented by a menu that is primarily European but they frequently host pop-ups covering other cuisines. Their wine offering is mainly French but also features pours from Virginia-based Lightwell Survey; owner Sebastian Zutant’s own wine range.
Lulu’s Wine Garden
After managing Vinoteca for 12 years, Paul Carlson reinvented the establishment as this laid-back place with a Southwestern ambiance and a menu by Cable Smith (Head Chef at Royal), which includes cheese and tostadas, a French onion dip toast and a roasted beet salad. The selection of wines is to over 50 bottles all of which cost $55, and tare sourced from vineyards in Europe, Virginia, California, Mexico, and Argentina. Lulu’s also boasts one of the best arrangements in town for seating on the sidewalk.
Bottles Wine Garden
Siutaed in a west end hotel lobby, this wine bar is unique with its dedicatio to promting women-owned wineries. With carefully chosen selections from cutting-edge wineries throughout the world, certified sommelier Erika Parjus and fellow Centrolina alumna Angie Duran cater to serious oenophiles and amateurs alike. Customers can place their orders at the bar or at their preferred seat from a small menu of five by-the-glass options and about twenty bottles.
