Red, white, dry, sweet, or bubbly—you can find your preferred wine at plenty of bars in Chicago. Pair your glass or bottle with tasty dishes or concentrate on sipping the perfect wine at the bars in these six neighborhoods.

Bucktown 

Photo courtesy of Red & White

Oenophiles on the hunt for something a little different will appreciate what Bucktown has to offer. Red & White is the ideal place to stop for grabbing a bottle or two—you won’t be disappointed by the selection—after a busy day at work. If you have more time, spend $10 to indulge in a tasting and browse the small but tasty bistro menu for bites to go with your wine. Serious wine drinkers will be tempted by the shop’s monthly membership, which comes with three new wines every month. 

When you think of the world’s best wines, the vineyards of France, Spain, Italy, and California usually come to mind. Try something a little off the beaten path at Taxim Restaurant, which curates its wine list from various regions across Greece. Plus, Taxim has a rooftop terrace ideal for the long, sultry nights of summer.

Edgewater

Photo courtesy of Income Tax

Contrary to what the name might suggest, Income Tax offers a delightful wine drinking experience in Edgewater. The far-reaching wine list spans Italian reds, French reds, French whites, French rosés, German whites, sparkling wines, and large format wines. Along with the wine, you can feast on dishes like grilled scallops, grilled asparagus, and rhubarb sorbet.  

Andersonville

Photo courtesy of Appellation

Andersonville, a smaller neighborhood within the bounds of Edgewater, is home to Appellation. This intimate bistro serves up a variety of dishes with a wide array of wines. You can sit down to savor your wine or grab a bottle and a picnic spread to go.

Humboldt Park

Photo courtesy of Rootstock

Rootstock came into being after Johnny Hap, Jamie McLennan, and Tonya Pratt of Webster’s Wine Bar in Logan Square decided to start a venture of their own. This Humboldt Park wine bar, opened in 2009, does wine from all over the world by the glass and bottle. The menu, which features dishes by executive chef Trevor Fleming, emphasizes local and organic ingredients.

River North

Photo courtesy of Enolo Wine Cafe

River North is often considered the epicenter of fine dining in Chicago. So, it comes as no surprise that the neighborhood has an excellent selection of wine bars. Enolo Wine Cafe has an enviable wine selection curated by a sommelier. Stop in for a single glass at happy hour (every Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.), or linger over a bottle and a charcuterie board. Enolo Wine Cafe also has a wine club.

For a French culinary and wine experience, head to Brindille. Dine on dishes like chilled oysters, roast quail, and duck breast while you peruse the wine list curated from regions all over France. Finish off the meal with selections from the restaurant’s cheese, dessert, and absinthe menus. 

The wine bar at The Boarding House is located on the first floor. Take your pick of more than 20 wines by the glass and more than 400 wines by the bottle. If you are in the mood for a more formal sit down, head upstairs to the dining room. The sparkling ceiling installation put together by thousands of wine bottles makes the trip upstairs well worth it.

If bubbles strike your fancy, Pops for Champagne will be an exquisite experience. This champagne bar and nightclub has more than 200 different selections, small plates, and live jazz every Sunday through Tuesday.

West Loop

Photo courtesy of City Winery

The West Loop is home to Randolph Street’s Restaurant Row, but you can find fine dining pretty much anywhere in this central neighborhood. City Winery is wine lover’s dream. You can tour the winery and sample wines directly from the barrel. You can linger in the tasting room, and if you are feeling ambitious, you can make your own wine. Plus, City Winery regularly hosts live music.

The Press Room is named in honor of its building, the historic Free Methodist Publishing House. Explore wines from countries all over the globe—think Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Italy, South Africa, Austria, Spain, Germany, Slovenia, and Lebanon. The restaurant also does small plates that pair well with the wine. 

You’ll also find Ciao! Cafe & Wine Bar and RM Champagne Lounge in the West Loop. Ciao! focuses on European and South American wines, while RM Champagne Lounge is French-style bistro with all the champagne you could possibly want.