Wine bars aren’t just for the seasoned quaffers anymore.
The recent crop of wine bars — many offering funky atmospheres, eclectic music and more — makes it clear that the wine industry is targeting a younger and hipper audience.
“There’s been a serious concern about reaching a broader audience,” says Brian Duncan, the wine director for Spruce restaurant and a partner in Bin 36, a wine-focused retail and restaurant concept that opens in late October. “For years, wine has been labeled elitist, and I’m happy to see the industry make it more approachable and less intimidating.”
One of the reasons for the surge in the wine scene, Duncan adds, is that there have been improvements in both the production and the promotion of wine in the United States. There are more varietals to choose from than ever before, which makes it more likely that you’ll find something to please your palate.
Another reason for the sudden boom in young wine lovers is the existence of groups like The WineBrats, a non-profit organization that has 42 chapters nationwide. Composed of seasoned and novice wine drinkers who range in age from 25 to 35, WineBrats was founded by three young men who hail from wine-making families in Sonoma, Calif.
Shawn Quaid, leader of the Chicago chapter, which boasts 600 members, says that it’s refreshing that places like the Hudson Club and Webster’s Wine Bar put their patrons at ease with their laid-back atmosphere and affordability.
“Wine is not about high prices and snobbery and pretension,” Quaid says. “It is about what you like, discovering why you like it — and (then you) hope that it will be reasonably priced.”
Looking for a good place to go for a satisfying wine experience? We sample the grapes:
404 Wine Bar. Located in the former space of Black Cat Cafe, 404 aims to take the snobbery out of sipping wine. Patrons have the choice of ordering by the glass, by the flight (red or white, which change weekly) or by the bottle. The week’s specials are posted on a chalkboard in the front room, which has an upscale yet cozy European feel. The light-fare menu has been selected to complement wines. Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. daily. 2852 N. Southport Ave., 773-404-5886.
Cru Cafe and Wine Bar. Cru’s list can be intimidating (more than 400 bottles of wine), but it’s also quite informative as it gives the history of each varietal, from pinot noir to zinfandel to bordeaux. Patrons can order by the half bottle as well as by the bottle and the glass. Cru also serves some nice bites that go well with wine, including the Cru Club (a lobster tail and beef tenderloin sandwich), international cheese flights and a raw bar. Cru plans to host a series of ongoing wine events soon. Hours: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. 888 N. Wabash Ave., 312-337-4078.
Glow. The bi-level, hi-energy dance club touts itself as a wine and champagne bar, but it’s got a long way to go. True, Glow offers an impressive wine list, but unless patrons are learned in the wine ways, they’re on their own. The music is so loud that it’s impossible for servers to explain the menu, and most patrons order martinis or the standard bottles of champagne anyway. Hours: 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 8 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday. 1615 N. Clybourn Ave., 312-587-8469.
Harry’s Velvet Room. The sexy, subterranean space is a fave among wine lovers. Harry’s waitstaff is quite knowledgeable about its wide variety of white and red wines, and if you’re looking for a particular region, they’re almost certain to have it. The bar offers 14 choices of wines by the glass and 66 by the bottle. One thing to remember: Bring the plastic ’cause Harry’s wines don’t come cheap. Hours: 5 p.m.-4 a.m. Monday through Friday, 7 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday, 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Sunday. 56 W. Illinois St., 312-527-5600.
Hudson Club. In less than three years, the Hudson Club has become the premier place in River North to sip wine. A stock of 100 wines is available by the glass — to go along with 75 by the bottle. Hudson also offers its signature flights of wine, four glasses related by grape varietal, region or style. The bar hosts monthly wine tastings, dinners and parties. Hours: 3 p.m.-midnight Monday through Wednesday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. 504 N. Wells St., 312-467-1947.
Sinibar Room. Sinibar’s extensive wine list is dominated by white wines. The menu is composed of more than 200 bottles, with four selections by the glass. The bar hosts weekly events; however, the focus is on music and not the wine. Hours: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday. 464 N. Halsted St., 312-226-6092.
The Stained Glass Wine Bar, Bistro & Cellar. The assortment of wines at this downtown Evanston newcomer is noteworthy. A dozen mahogany wine racks near the front door contain more than 240 selections from all over the globe, and patrons have 32 by-the-glass choices and 12 varieties of three-glass sampler flights. Hours: 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Tuesday. 1735 Benson Ave., Evanston, 847-864-8600.
Webster’s Wine Bar. There are some 30 wines from around the world offered by the glass at this unpretentious bi-level bar, and each comes with a detailed description. Webster’s also has nearly 300 choices by the bottle, and features a different regional flight each month, with four highlighted varietals. The bar has a nice selection of port, sherry and dessert wines. Hours: 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday through Friday, 4 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday. 1480 W. Webster Ave., 773-868-0608.
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Audarshia Townsend is the Bars & Clubs producer for metromix.com and host of the Metromix entertainment segment that airs every Thursday and Friday on CLTV.
