As most know, St. Petersburg has a reputation for some pretty awesome restaurants. New hidden gems are constantly opening all around the downtown area, often making it challenging for locals to keep pace. Admittedly, this is a challenge everyone gladly accepts! Interestingly, in recent years, St. Pete has also become known for some pretty cool wine bars as well. Certainly, you can find some exquisite wines at many of the top culinary destinations in town. But sometimes, one simply wants to relax and have a nice glass of wine by itself. For those who find such an experience appealing, St. Pete has many wine bar options from which to choose. And to help you find the one that best suits you, the following is a current list of the best wine bars (no particular order) in St. Pete.
MUST Wine Loft – This hidden gem of a wine bar is rapidly becoming well known for its variety of quality and affordable wines. Described as a European-inspired wine & cheese loft founded by friends who share a mutual love of wine, cheese and travel, the wine selection is impressive. And it’s a perfect place to share a bottle, enjoy some charcuterie, and purchase another bottle to take home. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, but space is limited…so get there early!
Dracula’s Legacy Wine Bar – If you’re looking for some exquisite Romanian wines, then Dracula’s Legacy is your place. Of course, they offer many other wine styles as well, but while enjoying this vampire-themed wine destination, why not check out something new? Plus, Dracula’s Legacy in located in an awesome courtyard just off Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete that often has musical venues. This is definitely a locals’ favorite when it comes to wine bars.
Sauvignon Wine Locker – The owners of Sauvignon are long-time St. Petersburgers, and they also know their stuff when it comes to wine. Hence, the fact they actually have wine lockers for patrons to make their wine purchases available should they come to visit. Ask any of the expertly trained and knowledgeable staff about which wines to consider. Then, sit out on the balcony overlooking Central Avenue’s entertainment district. Great wine, great people-watching, and just all around fun!
Cellar Masters Wine Bar and Bottle Shop – Located in the Edge District of downtown, Cellar Masters is both a wine bar and a bottle shop. In their bottle shop, they have a larger selection of Italian and French wines as well as other intriguing varietals from other regions. Plus with a small corkage fee, you can relax in their totally chill wine bar sipping your new-found wine. Or you can escape onto the back patio and play some retro CD’s (yes, compact discs!). Cellar Master’s mission? To bring their love of wine to all. Definitely, no pretentiousness here!
Bar Chinchilla – If you’re looking for wines that are off-the-beaten path, then you should definitely check out Bar Chinchilla. The owners are passionate not only about wine but travel as well. So, they decided to open up this tiny wine bar so they could share their finds with others. As the name implies, the space is small, but the friends made within over a glass of wine are incredible. This is definitely one of the best-kept wine bar secrets in downtown St. Pete.
Book & Bottle – Interestingly, this awesome wine bar in St. Pete opened the very day everything shut down with the pandemic. But despite the hurdles ahead, Book & Bottle has become a wine bar staple in the downtown area. As the name suggests, it is both a wine (and coffee) bar as well as a book shop. And the unique selection of books complement the unusual and interesting wine on hand. In all likelihood, you’ll find at least one varietal you may have never tried. Which makes going to Book & Bottle a fun adventure that reminds you why you fell in love with wine in the first place.
Lolita’s Wine Market – For several years now, Lolita’s has been a well-recognized destination for wonderful wines and small plates. Kelly and Alex spend a tremendous amount of time selecting just the right wines for their wine shop. And they are experts on pairing their delicious culinary creations with the right varietal. Located currently in the Grand Central District in downtown St. Pete, they may be relocating in the near future. Be sure to follow them on Facebook for updates and the latest happenings.
Hawthorne Bottle Shop – Looking for a cool vibe as well as some great wines? Nothing is cooler that Hawthorne Bottle Shop. Tegan and Amanda not only are happy to share their expertise and knowledge about wine, but they have created a fun and “chillaxing” atmosphere to enjoy your selection. Plus, they also have a huge selection of interesting craft beers from all over the world. Have a glass of rosé while relaxing at the bar, or stop by for a few bottles on your way home.
Bin6South Wine Bar – If you didn’t know where to look, you might miss this eclectic little wine bar located in downtown St. Pete. Located just on 6th Street South, Bin6South serves as both a bottle shop and wine vendor as well as a culinary destination. Despite its small size, its wine offerings are tremendous and specifically selected by the owners. This adds to the ambience, making guests feel extra special as if they’ve stumbled onto some forbidden secret. If you decide to check out Bin6South, be sure to make reservations. Both popular and small, seats fill quickly.
Bacchus Wine Bistro – Located just off Beach Drive along St. Pete’s beautiful waterfront stand Bacchus Wine Bistro. In honor of the god of wine, this wonderful wine bistro offers a broad selection of European wines that are constantly changing. Though they tend to offer a greater array of French wines, many other regions are represented as well. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great place to take in the beauty of St. Pete’s downtown while indulging in some excellent wine.
As you can see, there are many options in downtown St. Pete to enjoy some really great wines at some pretty amazing places. In addition to these destinations, there are also some exceptional restaurants that also offer wonderful wine sections, including those on our Hidden Gems Food and Wine Biking Tour. This is one of the many reasons why St. Pete is an awesome place to be!