As you explore the nation’s capital, Washington DC, it’s hard not to be captivated by the vibrant wine scene. Whether you are interested in trying local wines or having a wine class with one of the wine directors, there’s no shortage of places to go. Wine bars in DC have a diverse array of options, and give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the flourishing wine culture here.

Best Wine Bars In DC: Georgetown

Georgetown is full of amazing cocktail bars, coffee shops and of course wine bars. Let’s take a look at some of the places wine lovers can enjoy a great glass of wine in a fun ambiance.

Apero

Apéro is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington DC. It is one of the best French restaurants in DC with an extensive beverage menu. It functions as a café by day and in the evenings offers a nightly selection of champagne, wine and cocktails. 

Apero is also known for its delicious food. In addition to having numerous vegetarian options, the restaurant is also offers sustainably farmed Caviar.

Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar

Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, established in 1995, has become a renowned institution in Georgetown for its classic, regional, and contemporary French cuisine. The bistro offers an authentic Parisian dining experience without leaving Washington, DC, complete with fine food, ebullient service, and a relaxing atmosphere. It features live jazz sessions every Wednesday at the Wine Bar, adding to its vibrant and cultural ambiance. 

The Wine Bar also hosts a happy hour with all wines by the glass at half price, making it a popular spot for wine enthusiasts. Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar is not just a dining destination but a cultural experience, offering a taste of France through its exquisite cuisine, extensive wine selection, and lively music events.

  • Address: 1736 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
  • Website: Bistrot Lepic

Best Wine Bars In DC: 14th Street

The 14th street area of Washington DC is full of places with great happy hours as well as a variety of top restaurants. In addition to this, you will find a few places that have many different wines, knowledgeable staff, and a wine menu that will impress you. Let’s take a look at the top wine bars in the 14th street neighborhood of DC. 

Barcelona Wine Bar

Barcelona Wine Bar started on 14th street many years ago. In recent years, Barcelona Wine Bar has expanded to have several locations not just in the DMV but across the country. The drink menu here lists a variety of wines from 70 different regions. Pair your wine tastings with their Spanish tapas, and you will leave happy.

The menu here is a blend of Mediterranean, Spanish, and South American influenced tapas. The cuisine is described as clean and rustic, providing a diverse range of flavors and dishes. The ambiance of the wine bar is designed to reflect the warmth and vibrancy of Spanish culture, making it a great place for both busy social gatherings as well as intimate dinners. As the evening progresses, especially on Saturday nights, this place can become quite lively.

During the summer months, this is the best place on 14th street to enjoy a glass of wine outdoors. When their patio is open you can enjoy their extensive wine list al fresco with your friends. Barcelona has been a popular spot in the wine bar scene since it opened in DC. 

Vin Sur Vingt

Vin Sur Vingt is centrally located on 14th street. This popular New York wine bar made its way to Washington DC in 2021. Their menu focuses on French wines served by the glass or bottle alongside dishes like charcuterie and cheese boards. This restaurant has a popular happy hour and you can also host private events at this space as well.

Cork Wine Bar

Cork Wine Bar has been a 14th street staple for many years. Whether you are interested in wine education, wine flights, or just a good wine bar for meeting friends, this is a great option. In addition to having a wide selection of wines, Cork Market also has purchase options for wine drinkers. 

Best Wine Bars In DC: Shaw And U Street Wine Bars

The Shaw neighborhood and U street corridor have really grown in the last decade. There are so many great places to try here from cute coffee shops to fun bars with great happy hours. There are also some great spots for enjoying a glass of wine. 

Maxwell Park

Maxwell Park is a distinctive wine bar located in Washington D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, known for its extensive and carefully curated wine program. The bar is the creation of Proprietor & Sommelier Brent Kroll, who brings a unique and approachable perspective to wine selection. Maxwell Park offers a variety of themed wine events, including a special focus on “Dry January” with an emphasis on dry-farmed wines. They also provide private wine classes led by experienced sommeliers, featuring tastings of six wines paired with light fare. Additionally, Maxwell Park has a wine club where members receive hand-picked selections each month, along with educational content and tasting notes.

  • Address: 1336 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Website: Maxwell Park

Lulu’s Winegarden

Lulu’s is the brainchild of local husband-and-wife team Paul and Brittany Carlson. The menu, crafted by chef and partner Cable Smith, includes creative, casual, and shareable dishes with Southwest influences.

The family friendly front patio at Lulu’s has enough space for strollers!

The wine list is diverse and affordable, featuring around 50 bottles. They also serve getaway-inspired craft cocktails and a well-curated beer selection.

The space is described as sunny, magical, plant-filled, and vibrant, aiming to create a backyard wine bar ambiance. It is a very family-friendly restaurant as well.

The back patio has a bar area as well where you can sample different wines.

Lulu’s operates with a casual bar service style. Orders can be placed either through a contactless QR code ordering system or directly at the bar.

Lulu’s is also one of the best happy hour wine bars. They call it their “Golden Hour” happy hour and it’s very popular amongst locals.

The cute indoor bar here is perfect for a date.

Best Wine Bars In DC: Navy Yard & Capitol Hill Wine Bars

Navy Yard and Capitol Hill are also great places for wine lovers. There are a small handful of places here with great wine lists from small producers to larger well known wine brands. 

District Winery

Located on the Anacostia River waterfront, this urban winery has a very scenic ambiance. There are many wine by the glass options as well as many reasonable bottle for purchase. In addition to being one of the best affordable wine bars in DC, this is also a great place to celebrate a special occasion. 

Irregardless

Irregardless is located in the H street area of Capitol Hill DC. It is a wine bar and restaurant that features Virginia wine and Mid-Atlantic east coast cuisine. The restaurant opened in 2022 and has two tasting menus – one omnivore and one vegetarian

Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar

Sonoma Restaurant & Wine Bar, located in Washington, DC, offers a unique blend of New American fare with a Californian twist. The restaurant emphasizes sustainable practices and sources local, naturally-raised ingredients to pair with American and International wines. 

Sonoma is known for its private event spaces, suitable for a range of occasions from personal celebrations to corporate receptions. With its commitment to quality and sustainability, Sonoma provides a sophisticated yet comfortable dining experience, making it a popular choice for both casual meals and special events.

Best Wine Bars In DC: DC Wharf

Whether you want to go out with friends or have a fun date night, the DC wharf has plenty of options. While there may not be any specific wine bars here, there are many restaurants with a very good selection of wines. 

Officina

Officina is an Italian-inspired culinary collective located at The Wharf in Washington, DC. It was created by Chef Nicholas Stefanelli of Michelin-star Masseria. It is not technically a wine bar, but rather a restaurant as well as market where you can purchase and drink wine. Because of this, there is a large selection of wines to sample.

The restaurant is celebrated for its blend of traditional Italian flavors with a modern twist, providing a culinary journey through Italy’s various regions. They have a large wines by the glass list so you don’t need to always purchase a bottle.

You can enjoy several glasses of wine here alongside their delicious food menu.

  • Address: 1120 Maine Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
  • Website: Officina

Best Wine Bars In DC: Union Market

The Union Market area is exploding with restaurants and wine bars. 

Grand Cata

Grand Cata is a Latin American wine importer and tasting room located in Virginia, with an outpost in La Consecha in Union Market. Some key details: Grand Cata specializes in the wines, foods and culture of Latin America. From the wines of South America to Spain, this wine bar has a great selection of wines along with fantastic service. 

In addition to wine tastings, Grand Cata hosts virtual and in-person events exploring Latin American wine and food pairings.

La Jambe

La Jambe operates two locations – one in Union Market and one in Shaw that recently closed. The Union Market location is known for its wine, charcuterie boards, and cheese. Their original Shaw location at 1550 7th St NW closed in September 2023 after over 7 years in business. This is a female owned and operated business. 

  • Address: 1309 5th St. NE, Washington, DC 20002
  • Website: La Jambe

Flight Wine Bar – Closed In 2023

Pursuit Wine Bar & Kitchen – Closed In 2023

Best Wine Bars In Washington DC: Summary

New York is not the only place with a huge wine scene. Washington DC’s wine scene is vibrant and diverse, offering a range of experiences for wine enthusiasts. From local wines to wine classes with expert directors, the Washington DC’s wine bars have a unique ambiance for enjoying a great glass of wine. 

Apéro, a French restaurant in Georgetown, is notable for its extensive beverage menu and delicious food, including vegetarian options and sustainably farmed caviar. Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar, another Georgetown gem, is renowned for its French cuisine, live jazz, and happy hour wine deals. Barcelona Wine Bar on 14th Street is famous for its wide selection of wines and Spanish tapas, offering a lively atmosphere and outdoor seating in summer.

In Shaw, check out Maxwell Park. For a family friendly experience Lulu’s is a great find right on U street.

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