Your guide to Birmingham’s 10 coolest wine bars
ByChristine Hull
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We’re always down for a good time here at Bham Now. And since we’re nearing the end of winter (Thank God!) we thought it’d be a great time to present to you our list of top Birmingham wine bars. Don’t know about you, but w
(If wine isn’t your thing, check out the Bham Now guide to Birmingham cocktails or this great one on Birmingham’s best Breweries. )
Freddy’s Wine Bar
Freddy’s opened its doors in January 2018. Since then, they’ve been serving over sixty types of wine by the glass. The perfect spot for #winedownwednesday. Or just a regular Monday. Any day, really! (Except for Sunday, they’re closed.)
When you’re happy and you know it: Freddy’s wins the best Happy Hour prize on the Birmingham wine bar list. Every Monday through Thursday, get $2 off wine from 4 to 6 PM. They spotlight different wine from countries around the world, so it’s always a surprise.
Wine and
Parking can be tricky: No worries, they’ve got complimentary valet Tuesday through Saturday.
V tasty charcuterie boards and small plates: They’ve got an excellent selection and presentation of Berkel sliced meats and cheeses. Boards range from $9-$22.
What to love about Freddy’s: The wine and food are fantastic, no doubt. But what I love most about Freddy’s is their casual but top-notch service.
Freddy’s Wine Bar |2251 Highland Ave Birmingham | $$
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille
If you’re feelin’ fancy: Head to Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille. The restaurant off U.S. 280 was named by OpenTable as one of the top 100 restaurants for wine lovers in America. The vibe at the 280 location is intimate and luxurious and Perry’s corporate sommelier and beverage director is amazing!
What we love about Perry’s: Hands down, their ginormous double and triple magnum bottles of wine. These big bottles are advertised for “large parties.” (Definition of large is up to you, folks!) Available in Perry’s house Cabernet and Chardonnay.
Social Hour at Bar 79 @ Perry’s: From 4 to 7 PM Monday through Friday and 4 to 7 PM on Sunday, they offer specially priced wine features and $9 shareable bar bites. You can’t go wrong with the Perry’s Famous Pork Chop Bites or Beef Tenderloin Sliders.
Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille | 4 Perimeter Park S. | (205) 968-1597 | $$$
Classic Wine Company
Reppin’ in Homewood since ’88: This classic Homewood staple has been around for 30 years. They’ve recently moved to a spacious new spot in SoHo!
Cheese, please: The bar offers an array of wine by the glass, cheese plates, and charcuterie boards. I liked the various price points offered in both the wine store and at the bar.
Try the: Ceibo Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)
Classic Wine Company | 1831 28th Ave S | (205) 871-9463 | $$
Vino & Gallery Bar
A quaint little spot in English Village: This gorgeous wine bar also serves some notable tasty seafood dishes. The prices are lower than I expected and the pea gravel patio wins the top prize for outdoor seating on the Birmingham wine list.
Behind the bar: Over 75 domestic and international wines.
Happy, happy; joy, joy: Happy hour $2 off glasses of wine, Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 PM. See ya there! Save me a seat.
Hot dish: The Bang Bang Cauliflower appetizer. The lightly fried veggies are covered with scallions and kung pao sauce for a flavor both sweet and tangy. I’ll be back for more of those soon, fa sho.
Fun fact: There’s also an in house art gallery with gorgeous modern pieces.
Vino | 1930 Cahaba Road | (205) 870-8404 | $$
Galley and Garden
Wine bar with prestige: Galley and Garden was named one of America’s BEST wine restaurants in 2018 by Wine Magazine.
Can’t go wrong with the menu: Brought to you by Chef James Boyce & wife, Suzan, this spot on our list also serves up American-French inspired cuisine that’s to die for. Try
UGE wine list: Galley and Garden boasts the largest wine list in Alabama. They have over 500 labels to choose from! Here’s their drink list.
New happy hour: Weekdays from 4 to 6 PM Galley and Garden serves up small bites with rotating wine, cocktail and beer specials.
Must try the: Fried green tomatoes with Beeler’s bacon and house pimento cheese (when available.)
Galley and Garden | 2200 Highland Avenue | (205) 939-5551 | $$$
The Wine Loft Wine Bar
Choices: The Wine Loft Wine Bar has over 70 wines by the glass and 200 by the bottle.
High dollar specials: Tuesday is the day to go to the Wine Loft if you’re ballin’ on a budget but have fine wine taste. Every Tuesday, bottles between $50-150 are half price.
Free wine tasting: Every Wednesday from 5:30-7 PM. Wine is also discounted 25% by the glass.
Try the: Flammkuchen. That’s a thin flatbread with crème fraîche, gruyere, onions, banana peppers, bacon bits & caraway seeds.
The Wine Loft | 2200 1st Ave N | (205) 323-8228 | $$
Gianmarco’s
V popular: This quaint little wine oasis is frequently PACKED. For a good reason, too! The place is DREAMY and the perfect place to enjoy a glass. Or four.
Selection: They serve over 200 different kinds of wine. It’s heaven.
Pro tip: If you’re interested in going beyond the bar, it’s always a good idea to make reservations if you’re dining. You don’t HAVE to, they are just really popular. Just sayin’.
But wait, there’s more: Gianmarco’s has a new pizza joint in Homewood. We’re thinking it’s just as fab.
Gianmarco’s | 721 Broadway St | (205) 871-9622 | $$
Fleming’s Steakhouse and Wine Bar
Shop and wine: Fleming’s Wine Bar is located at the Summit on the lowest level closest to U.S. 280.
See you next Tuesday: that’s when Fleming’s offers their 35. oz Tomahawk steak special for “two.” I use the number two very loosely here—who doesn’t love a good challenge?
Wine selection: Very impressive, as expected.
Fleming’s | 103 Summit Blvd | (205) 262-9463 | $$$
Hop City Beer and Wine
Rack city: They serve up great wine, but holy display cases—so many bottles for sale. I was impressed with the selection from various far-flung places.
Growlers: I know this post is about Birmingham wine, but I’m easily distractable. I’m all about being able to find what you like and taking it home! There are over 60 on tap to choose from.
Let Kombucha flow: Hop city serves Revelator Nitro Coffee & Better Kombucha on tap. I feel healthier just after writing that.
There’s an app for that: Hop City has an app to help you find your favorite wine or beer in-house. What a great time to be alive!
Hop City Beer and Wine | 2924 3rd Ave S | (205) 279-2337 | $$
Honorable mention: The Louis at the Pizitz
Why we love The Louis: We can see The Louis from our office here at Bham Now, making it our most frequented watering hole.
Ch-ch-check it out: the patio at the Pizitz is perfect for an after-work cocktail with friends.
When you can’t decide what’s for dinner: The Pizitz Food Hall has tons of local grub to choose from. They’ve got it all—ethiopian, poke, cheese boards, momos, Mediterranean, burgers… the list goes on and on.
#winedownwednesday: The Wednesday tradition is taken pretty seriously around here. Specials vary, but are always a great deal!
Playas gonna play: Card games are now available behind the bar if you’re interested in playing that 100th game of Cards Against Humanity.
The Louis | 1821 2nd Ave N | (205) 730-9002| $
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