Chicago's Best Wine Bar

Upscale but not uptight, this two-story wine bar in River West features impressive selections, service and skyline views.

Reviews:

• “Really poor service”
• “Great Variety, Good Atmosphere, Free Parking, and Excellent Food”
• “If you want snooty this is it”
• ""
• “sit back and relax”

Tips: A hot after-dinner spot, the Tasting Room fills up the later it gets.

The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars or email The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars

The former Iggy’s space gets overhauled, the resulting space more hip-wine-and-cheese-bar than gritty-late-night-haunt.

Reviews:

• “Consistently great experience, knowledgeable & friendly service, excellent selections”
• “Fun wine bar”
• “a place to relax and catch up with a friend "
• “Worth to stop by”
• “Juicy Wine Bar too big for it’s britches”

Tips: The wine program is interesting; all bottles are priced at retail, but a $15 corkage fee allows patrons to sit and drink. Both prices are displayed on the menu to avoid confusion.

Juicy Wine Co. or email Juicy Wine Co.

A trendy Wicker Park crowd sips and nibbles at this sexy, low-lit wine bar and restaurant.

Reviews:

• “Wine Bar? No Pinot Noir, No Pinot Grigio, No Cabernet, No Chardonnay…”
• “Don’t bother”
• “OK at Best”
• “worst service ever!”
• “Nice Neighborhood Atmosphere”

Tips: The bar is available for private parties of up to 99 people, with room for 25 on the outside patio during warm weather.

Vintage Wine Bar or email Vintage Wine Bar

This cozy Roscoe Village restaurant delivers upscale small-plate cuisine in an unpretentious atmosphere.

Reviews:

• “great food, great wine”
• “Creative food, but a bit overpriced”
• “So much fun!”
• “Attention port snobs”
• “Fantastic Food and Wine”

Tips: Look out for $25 prix fixe on Tuesdays and half price bottles of wine on Mondays.

Volo Restaurant Wine Bar

Casual Lincoln Park alcove that doesn’t allow wine snobbery.

Reviews:

• “Mindblowing wine list and the best servers in town”
• “Great low key wine bar”
• “Casual Euro-style bar, poor service and incorrectly stored products.”
• “Great Spot”
• “wine and staff”

Tips: One or more Wednesday evenings a month, you can indulge in a tasting of 12-16 wines from different regions along with appetizers for $30-$50.

Webster’s Wine Bar

Wine experts and newbies alike pop their corks at this relaxed wine-centric restaurant and market.

Reviews:

• “Great hang-out spot”
• “Best Cheese Menu in the City "
• “I can’t believe anyone would recommend this restaurant.”
• “WINE LOVERS DELIGHT + GREAT FOOD”
• “Terrible service, medicore food”

Tips: Select one of 12 wine flights ($13-$18), a grouping of four half-glasses. The list offers a diverse assortment, with a reserve list for true oenophiles.

BIN 36

This River North spot draws a Merchandise Mart crowd for salads, sandwiches, steaks and after-work cocktails.

Reviews:

• “ATTENTION ALL CARNIVORES… STEAK ALERT …..STEAK ALERT…..”
• “This is a Steak House????”
• “Just Another Steak House”
• “Our New Favorite Place!”
• “Totally Average!!!”

Tips: Party rooms and customized menus are available for large groups, as well as office catering. Call the event coordinator (312) 543-4405 to set something up.

Kinzie Chophouse or email Kinzie Chophouse

Attached to Letizia’s Natural Bakery, this Wicker Park wine bar focuses on light Italian fare and wines from all over the world.

Reviews:

• “Hard to locate but Great Italian Restaurant”
• “Best pasta in Wicker Park!”
• “strawberry bruschetta is heaven! "
• “Overpriced, unimaginative”
• ""

Tips: While wine is the main draw, this enoteca also offers more than 25 kinds of beer as well as a full bar stocked with more than 20 kinds of vodka.

Enoteca Roma Wine Bar or email Enoteca Roma Wine Bar

Subdued Streeterville steakhouse draws a heavy-hitting corporate crowd for red meat in sophisticated surroundings.

Reviews:

• “great pick!”
• “Flo’s Filet at the Outback would have been way better”
• “Remarkable dining experience”
• “Host Staff is superior!!”
• “Great Anniversary Dinner!”

Tips: The wine list offers a global selection of more than 500 wines.

The Capital Grille or email The Capital Grille

The sister of Meritage Cafe and Wine Bar highlights global small plate dishes for the late-night crowd in Lincoln Park.

Reviews:

• “Easy fixes could make this a great spot.”
• “Delicious!”
• “We love it!”
• “Not impressed”

Tips: A private dining room can seat parties for up to 25 guests.

Fixture

Comfortable place to sip and schmooze over a bottle or two.

Reviews:

• “Ripping off their customers”
• “Do not go and do not have a party there!”
• “Perfect for your 1st or 100th date”
• “Great service, wine and filet mignon”
• “Go someplace else. "

Tips: Toward the back, where it’s less noisy. Choose either table seating or one of the sofas and easy chairs surrounding the fireplace.

404 Wine Bar

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