Best Wine Bars In DC
Lifestyle
Spring may be slowly (but surely) making its way to our Nation’s Capital, and with the change in temperature, we’ll soon be saying bye to our favorite warm and cozy drinks of winter. But not to fear, because in DC, every season is the time for wine. Whether you’re looking to uncover new tastes or savor a reliable bottle of red, we’ve got you covered.
Keep reading for the best wine bars in DC today!
#1 Maxwell Park: Since opening its doors in 2017, Maxwell has become a Shaw mainstay that takes wine seriously, but never itself. Maxwell is designed to act as a friendly compass, pointing any and all wine drinkers in the right direction — based on their individual preferences and tastes. The intimate spot features more than 50 wines by the glass, half of which rotate based on different monthly themes. One of the features that sets Maxwell apart is its carefully controlled refrigeration system that uses four different temperature zones to bring out the flavors and nuances of each wine. In the few years it’s been open, Maxwell and its staff have received numerous accolades, including Best Bar in America from Esquire, Best Wine Bar from Washingtonian, and a 2019 RAMMY award for Wine Program of the Year.
➤ While you’re experiencing the best wine bars in DC, check out these other great spots for food and drink:
#2 St. Vincent: St. Vincent Wine was opened in November 2020 with one goal in mind: To create a space where folks can come, with friends or alone, and feel perfectly at home. A place where anyone & everyone is welcome and included. In fact, between the French-inspired decor and the reigning spooky, speakeasy vibe, you might just forget that you’re even in DC at all. Grab a bottle or two from the store, head on out to the garden, and stay for an hour…or longer. Upstairs, the cozy cocktail bar is an intimate and comfortable space where patrons can relax and enjoy crafted cocktails while listening to live performances of local jazz musicians who keep the party flowing.
#3 No Kisses Bar: For fans of natural wines — a type that does away with additives and includes lots of fruity or funky flavors — should head over to No Kisses bar in Park View. Fluorescent, color-changing ceiling tiles and plush, forest green banquettes give off a groovy, moody vibe. The bar (open Friday and Saturday nights) shares a backyard garden and an extensive online bottle shop with next-door sibling spot Sonny’s Pizza.
#4 Lulu’s Wine Garden: After running Vinoteca (off U Street NW) for 12 years, Paul Carlson rebranded it to this laid-back spot with a Southwestern vibe and food menu from chef Cable Smith (Royal) that features queso and tostadas, a French onion dip toast, and roasted beet salad. A list of nearly 50 bottles, all priced at $55, pulls from vineyard across Europe, Virginia, California, Mexico, and Argentina. Lulu’s has one of the more impressive setups in town for streetside seating, too, so al fresco enthusiasts rejoice!
#5 District Winery: An upscale destination for wine lovers near and far, this Navy Yard outpost features tours, tastings, and lots of flavor. Choose from a seasonal pick, a winemaker’s choice tasting, or a custom flight. Don’t miss out on the DC-made dry rosé! Grapes are sourced from New York, California, and Washington, while the winery’s newly retooled restaurant relies on its 2017 vintage to build dishes like coq au vin and grape strudel.
