Wine Bars in Washington, DC

There are many great Washington, DC wine bars worth popping a few corks in, from swanky lounges Downtown to barebones dens in Adams Morgan, though all of them promise a mellow atmosphere and a chance to expand one’s palate when it comes to the grapey good stuff.

Obviously everyone will have a different opinion about what makes a great wine bar in DC (or anywhere else), but whether you’re looking to drop some mad cash or get in on a friendly flight, DC wine bars have got you covered. A good place to start is Proof in Penn Quarter, where a mix of contemporary American cuisine and a wine list more aptly described as a “book” attracts a refined crowd of local foodies and oenophiles who are drawn by the strong emphasis on organic and sustainable ingredients and the bar’s one-thousand-plus wine selection.

That should be enough variety to satisfy everyone in your group, and while Proof won’t completely break the bank (unless you buy one of their several thousand dollar bottles) a more budget-friendly alternative would be Vinoteca on U Street, which has great Happy Hour deals and is one of the most unpretentious wine bars in Washington, DC. Veritas in Dupont Circle is always buys with a trendy young crowd, while Sonoma in Capitol Hill attracts everyone from big time politicians to their fledgling underlings and anyone in the mood for a fancy cheese plate or two.

No matter the cost or the selection, the variety of Washington, DC wine bars will easily satisfy everyone from wino amateurs to the snootiest oenophile.