I’ve found many of the best Seattle wine bars by happenstance, which isn’t surprising given there are so many wine bars in the city. What I love most about Seattle’s wine scene is its diversity.
You might think that having Washington and Oregon wine country just a few hours away would mean that’s all wine bars serve, but most wine bars in the city have a variety of old world wines. This means you can refine your palate by comparing wines from all over the world.
Since each wine bar is unique in their ambiance and offerings, I put together a list of the best wine bars in Seattle. No matter if you’re a novice or a wine professional, consider this your guide!
17 Best Seattle Wine Bars
Save this to Pinterest for later because I’ll add more Seattle wine bars as I discover them!
Le Caviste
website | 1919 7th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: French wines
I always send people to Le Caviste when they need things to do in downtown Seattle. It’s a small, unassuming wine bar neatly tucked on a busy street that’s run by master sommelier David Butler, the one-time wine program lead at the late Le Gourmand. His ability to curate French wines alongside some of the city’s best charcuterie boards is unmatched.
But that doesn’t mean this place is stuffy. In fact, the menu is written on the chalkboard and the staff fully expects you’ll need to ask questions to pick your drink. They’re knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to tell you about their off-menu tartare that’s one of the best steak tartares in Seattle.
Pro tip: Despite this spot feeling like a full-fledged restaurant, you can take any bottle home at a steep discount!
Bottlehouse
website | 1416 34th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Madrona | best for: wine, aperitifs, and cocktails | offers a wine club
Bottlehouse is one of our preferred date night spots for their cozy corners, welcoming atmosphere, and a generous selection of international and local wines. It’s located in a refurbished craftsman and has a lush patio come summertime.
Their food menu is a mix of charcuterie and light bites alongside seasonal vegetable plates and heartier entrees. They even have a generous dessert selection to pair with dessert wines.
Light Sleeper
website | 1424 11th Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: hearty dishes
Light Sleeper is located in Chophouse Row, one of my favorite trendy spots in Capitol Hill. The vibe is mid-century modern with trailing plants and a serene indoor-outdoor vibe. The wine list is extensive and has a variety of price points and styles (but sadly, no flights).
In addition to wine, they have a bigger food menu than most, including a range of interesting appetizers like their anchovy donut, pizza, and salads.
Footprint Wine Tap
website | 1222 E Madison St (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: wines on tap, including some of their own | offers a wine club
Footprint is a Black-owned wine bar that focuses on highlighting lesser known producers. Specifically, they showcase low-intervention and sustainable Pacific Northwest producers…including their super small-production wines.
Footprint aims to show wine can be just as good from a tap, but in a more environmentally-friendly way since it doesn’t require glass bottles.
Doe Bay Wine Company
website | 7009 Greenwood Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Phinney Ridge | best for: small batch wines | offers a wine club
Doe Bay is owned by the Orcas Project and has two locations, including one on Orcas Island. They focus on “fine wines from small places” and offer a range of wines by the bottle, or you can try a flight of their own wines alongside charcuterie. They make a great overflow spot when the buzzy restaurant, Lionesse, is packed.
Cantina Sauvage
website | 1531 Melrose Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: natural wines and Mediterranean food | offers a wine club
Cantina Sauvage is a cozy, warmly-lit space in Melrose Market with a wide selection of natural wines and food by Cafe Suliman, one of my favorite Mediterranean restaurants in Seattle they share a space with.
Wine wise, they serve niche varietals from local and abstract wine regions, all expertly paired with Levantine-inspired dishes.
Three Sacks Full
website | 918 NE 64th St (get directions) | neighborhood: Roosevelt | best for: European & local wines
Three Sacks Full is part bottle shop, part restaurant. They remind me of the brasseries in France, with a curated wine list that’s heavily discounted for takeaway. The wines are a proper mix of European and local wines, with an emphasis on food-friendly, lighter reds. Their food menu easily puts them on my list of the best farm-to-table restaurants in Seattle.
Halfseas Wine
website | 5413 6th Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Ballard | best for: obscure winemakers | offers a wine club
Halfseas is a newly opened wine shop owned by Brimmer & Heeltap, one of my favorite north Seattle restaurants. They focus on small, lesser-known producers and coastal wine regions. They don’t offer flights, but I think this is one of the best Seattle wine bars because they offer half pours that let you try more styles.
If you’re feeling hungry, Halseas serves small plates from Brimmer. The chips and dip are a must if available!
The Coupe & Flute
website | 3015 Beacon Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: Beacon Hill | best for: sparkling wine
I always make it a point to visit Coupe & Flute when I’m waiting for a table at Homer. They have a lovely weekend brunch, and by night, they transform into an intimate, upscale wine bar with a lengthy sparkling wine list (including champagne flights) served alongside new American dishes, caviar, and surprisingly some of the best nachos in Seattle.
Pro tip: If you’re in Pioneer Square, check out their sister bar, The Dandy of King Street Crossing, for their champagne and cocktails.
Flight Wine + Chocolate
website | 1300 E Pike St Ste 103 (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: wine and chocolate pairings | offers a wine club
This adorable wine bar is easy to miss because it’s tucked on a quieter street of an otherwise busy neighborhood. But it’s worth seeking out for their excellent wines and homemade chocolate confections.
That’s right, they make all their confections in house. There’s a case in the back full of colorful handmade chocolates you can take home or sample alongside wine flights. The chocolates change regularly, but you can expect interesting flavors like citrus cheesecake or mint rosemary.
Flight Wine + Chocolate leans into the aerospace theme and offers wine flights called “Business” and “First” Class. Both come with 5 wines and the tasting fee is waived with a $50 purchase, but they differ in styles (ex: red vs. white) and price of each bottle poured. While their wine list is predominantly Washington-based, they also offer themed flights with international brands. No matter which flight you choose, expect all the wines to be interesting and tasty!
Chez Phinney
website | 7400 Greenwood Ave N (get directions) | neighborhood: Phinney Ridge | best for: self-serve wine bar | offers a wine club
Chez Phinney opened in 2021 following the owners’ inspiration from recent trips to Europe. It’s a self-serve wine bar where you can self-pour through 24 wines by the ounce. They also offer charcuterie, beer, wine cocktails, and mocktails which you can order at the counter.
Left Bank
website | 8526 14th Ave S (get directions) | neighborhood: South Park | best for: natural wine | offers a wine club
Left Bank is a tiny wine bar and bottle shop focused on natural wines, but with the aim of making natural wine more accessible. They have wines at various price points and a knowledgeable staff that’s happy to answer your questions.
Vinnie’s Wine Shop & Cocktail Bar
website | 2505 2nd Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Belltown | best for: natural wine & oysters
Vinnie’s is a vivacious, lively bottle shop and wine bar located in the heart of Belltown. They serve Pacific Northwest oysters for $2, and they’re paired expertly with wine cocktails, frozen drinks, and other light bites.
La Dive
website | 721 E Pike St (get directions) | neighborhood: Capitol Hill | best for: natural wines | offers a wine club
With limited seating, moody lighting, and counter service, La Dive offers a unique twist on your typical dive bar. Rather than pushing strong mixed drinks, they offer exclusively natural wines alongside small plates and a few carb-centric mains.
Molly’s Bottleshop
website | 6406 32nd Ave NW (get directions) | neighborhood: Sunset Hill | best for: natural wines | offers a wine club
Molly’s is located in a residential neighborhood north of Ballard and is one of my preferred Seattle wine bottle shops for natural wines. In addition to having a vast selection, you’ll typically find Molly pouring wine flights and answering questions on all things natural wine.
WeRise Wines
website | 1913 2nd Ave (get directions) | neighborhood: Downtown | best for: BIPOC wine producers | offers a wine club
WeRise is another Black-owned Seattle wine bar minutes from Pike Place Market. Their goal is to amplify the voices of underrepresented winemakers by showcasing women-owned and BIPOC producers. They do this with flights and glass pours served in their moody and modern tasting room.
U Wine Bar
website | 4455 Stone Way N (get directions) | neighborhood: Wallingford | best for: board game wine bar
U Wine Bar reminds me of the 21+ version of Mox Boarding House. They’re part game sellers, part wine bar, and they have a solid selection of microbrews and coffee. They don’t have a kitchen but you’re welcome to bring food as you place through their game selection and sip on vino.
How to choose a good wine
If you’re new to the world of wine and find it intimidating, here are some tips that have helped me on my wine journey to feel less insecure and more curious. Keep them in mind as you explore the best Seattle wine bars!
Talk to the staff
More often than not, the staff at wine bars have spoken with or even worked with, plenty of winemakers over the years. They have unique knowledge and insight into the producers, so pick their brains and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Sample smaller pours so you can try multiple
I am a big proponent of wine flights because they allow you to try multiple styles in one sitting. Most wine bars will also have tasting notes so you can compare what you taste to what the producer intended. As you sip, pay attention to the types of grapes you prefer so you know how to order next time!
Stick to crowd-pleasing Varietals
There are certain styles of wines that tend to be crowd pleasers. I remember when I was new to drinking wine, I preferred sweeter, crisp whites like riesling or mild, light-bodied reds like pinot noir. People also tend to love rosé. So if you see any of these varietals on the menu, give them a try!
Pay attention to tasting notes
Menus often have tasting notes next to each type of wine. Look for flavors that interest you and let that guide what you order. I personally gravitate toward notes like “bright” and “strawberry” because I like jammy light-medium bodied reds best.
General tips for bottle shopping
Here are some tips if you decide to take a bottle home from one of the best Seattle wine bars, or if you find yourself at the grocery store staring at rows upon rows of wine:
- Look for a specific wine region on the label. The more straightforward the label, the less likely the wine is commercially made by blending a bunch of grapes from different regions. For example, “Red Mountain” on the label is more specific than “Columbia Valley”.
- Pay attention to the year the wine was made, AKA the “vintage.” If you don’t see one, it’s likely the winemaker held onto multiple years of wine to dilute a lesser quality year. One exception to this is champagne, which is routinely made up of multiple vintages but enhances the quality.
- Look for seals of authenticity. For example, nothing made outside of the Champagne region of France should be labeled “champagne”. Similarly, Italian-certified wines will have “DOC” labels around the neck of the bottle.
- Pay attention to the distributor. Once you find a wine you enjoy, look at the bottle and note who the distributor is. Next time you’re shopping, find that distributor since you likely have similar palates.
More libations around Seattle
After you try the best Seattle wine bars, check out my guides on other places to grab a drink.
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