Whether you’re in town for a night or looking for a new place to indulge in wine, we’ve got you covered. Check out this list to see what the wine scene in this lake-front city has to offer.
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The Best Wine Bars in Milwaukee
Bacchus
Views of Lake Michigan, a conservatory, and an extensive wine list. What else could you need? This restaurant and bar is sleek and brings an upscale twist to New American-style dining.
Along with a seasonally rotating food menu, they boast one of the largest wine lists in Milwaukee.
When selections become overwhelming, they have a sommelier on staff and a list of their favorite reds and whites by price to help narrow down the option.
When you have a special evening in mind or are looking for a new fine dining experience, Bacchus should be first on your list.
- Location: 925 E Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Balzac Wine Bar
Quite different from the first wine bar on this list, Balzac offers a more casual and eclectic space to taste great wine and food.
This cozy and dimly lit bar creates a great environment for date night or a new place to hang out with friends and grab a drink.
During the warmer months, head out onto their patio to enjoy your wine selection surrounded by florals and vegetation.
Wines are available by the glass or bottle and if you find one you like, take home a bottle for 50% off the menu price.
- Location: 1716 N Arlington Place, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Black Sheep
While their namesake may state otherwise, this bar is no disgrace to the wine scene in Milwaukee. They offer a unique way to enjoy wine with 16 rotating bottles on tap for you to enjoy.
Selections often change, meaning when you stop in, there will always be something new to try.
The focus is on small production and boutique vintners, and up to three samples are offered before you commit to a glass.
There are also featured red and white options by the glass as well as in bottles to go. They also cover brunch, lunch, and dinner, which is not too shabby.
- Location: 216 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Carnevor
An upscale steakhouse paired with an over-the-top wine list, what more could you want? The list includes over 800 bottles and 42 options by the glass.
Selections are predominately American wines following steakhouse tradition. And when you get overwhelmed, staff is available to direct you to the perfect selection every time.
From the food menu, enjoy exquisite wet and dry-aged beef, including Japanese Wagyu, all prepared with a modern twist. When you need to impress, Carnevor will do all the work for you.
- Location: 718 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Charles E. Fromage
This is a small and intimate yet very charming wine bar. The wine list is simple and designed to include excellent selections from all across the globe.
You’ll also find they offer a monthly tasting event that highlights a different theme and includes opportunities to learn more about the process, the wine, and the history, all while sipping on fantastic hand-picked selections.
They keep a simple food menu, boasting snacks made in-house by the owner Tony.
They’ve been successful in curating a space to have a nightcap and discuss events, art, or nightly shenanigans with great friends and better wine.
- Location: 5811 West Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53208
La Merenda
This bar and restaurant are bringing international flavors to downtown Milwaukee. While they don’t specialize in wine, it’s still a great place to enjoy a glass with friends.
Located inside a renovated wood shop, you’ll find a bright and inviting environment designed to highlight and blend cultures.
And they have a patio for ample seating during the months when the weather allows for it.
As for the wine list, you’ll find it mirrors the cuisine with international selections from Germany, New Zealand, and Africa, just to name a few.
- Location: 125 E National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Ruby Tap
Wisconsin includes some pretty unique drinking venues, and this is one of them. Ruby Tap advertises as a neighborhood bar with wine on a self-serve tap.
Yes, you read that right. Selections are always rotating, so there’s always a chance to try something new.
If you find something you love on tap, check out the included bottle shop to bring something home with you.
And in case you want to bring the party home, they offer bottles, flights, and tasty bar snacks all ready for curbside pickup.
- Location: 1341 N Wauwatosa Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53213
Thief Wine Shop + Bar
Located inside the Milwaukee Public Market, you’ll find the perfect place to stop for a drink while shopping.
You’ll find not only a large bar to cozy up and sample but a full wine and bottle shop for all your wine-related needs.
Their selection includes excellent and distinctive wines from varying regions across the world.
Certain offerings can be sampled, and others come in a carafe (2.5 glasses) to share with a friend. Be sure to make a pit stop into Thief the next time you’re wandering the market.
- Location: 400 N Water St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Vino Third Ward
An urban tasting room and store, you’ll find here everything you need related to wine. They focus on having diverse and rare selections to choose from.
Offerings are by the glass or bottle. And if you taste something you love, they’ll package it up for you to take home with just a small corkage fee.
Vino strives to make wine affordable and accessible, all while giving you a fun environment to learn and taste. Be sure to check out events and consider joining their wine club for even more benefits!
- Location: 219 E Erie St, Milwaukee, WI
Voyager
The focus at this wine bar is on creating a lively and, at times, cheeky environment while keeping good flavors at the forefront.
Wines include small-production and sustainably made options from regions all across the globe. Voyager has a daily happy hour which allows you to enjoy the great wine selections at a discount.
Both the owners and staff are ready and waiting to help guide you through picking out a great wine.
This wine bar is a gem and perfect for unwinding or catching up with friends.
- Location: 422 E Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Final Thoughts
No matter if you want to learn more about wine, spend time with friends, or just unwind, there’s a wine bar for you.
And after stopping into a few of these great spots, you’ll be surprised what the Milwaukee wine scene has to offer.