The 8 Best Wine Bars In Chicago

Sip on longtime favorites or explore new tastes at these top eight wine bars across Chicago.

Press Room

Goodfunk

With an ever-evolving wine list, Goodfunk—owned by Bonhomme Hospitality, which brings us Michelin-starred Porto—focuses on natural wines from around the world. “At its core, the natural wine movement is minimal-intervention winemaking that tells a story of the people who made it and the land it was made from,” says creative director Daniel Alonso. Not sure where to start? The Not Your Average White Band flight showcases a trio of funky white wines. 180 N. Upper Wacker Drive

Joe’s Imports

This boutique restaurant and wine bar is built upon the legacy of recently passed partner and wine director Joe Fiely and his travels. The rotating menu features a 1996 cabernet sauvignon, merlot from Tuscany, Israeli syrah and more. 813 W. Fulton Market

Soif’s Cat’s Meow cocktail

Pops for Champagne

Pops for Champagne pours out classic wine varietals, and, yes, its bubbly list is extensive. With over 140 bottles, guests can choose from variations of chardonnay, pinot noir, pinot meunier and more. One popular staple since 2006 is the La Vie en Rose, which fuses floral, sweet and slightly bitter notes. 601 N. State St.

Press Room

Located inside a 100-year-old building, this cozy wine bar sets the scene for an intimate evening complemented by sophisticated sips. Press Room offers an array of white, red, orange and rosé wines along with cocktails and delectable entrees. 1134 W. Washington Blvd.

Goodfunk’s chic bar

Rootstock

Since 2009, Rootstock has emphasized organic and biodynamic farming practices and supported local farmers. Try the bubbly 2018 Raventós i Blanc (a biodynamic blend of macabeo, parellada and xarel-lo). This drink spends 15 months in lees, and when sipped, offers a balance of floral overtones, white peach and toasted brioche. Rootstock also houses a variety of fortified wines and spirits, so there’s something for everyone. 954 N. California Ave., 773.292.1616

Soif

Soif’s dimly lit atmosphere, lowkey characteristics and tasteful bites are ideal complements to its variety of wines and cocktails. This Parisian-inspired lounge offers classic French spirits such as aperitifs, vermouth, pineau des charentes and cognac. Lise et Bertrand Jousset, “The Orange Jouss” 2020 is a staff-favorite, offering an introduction to skin-contact wine, which has a floral taste. 2456 N. California Ave., 773.895.6558

The main bar at Pops for Champagne

Volo

Volo Restaurant Wine Bar allows the uninitiated to learn more about wine in its rustic indoor dining room or outdoor patio. Over 50 boutique-style wines are curated by managing partner Jon Young, and each night, up to 30 are available by the glass. A go-to for the summer is the ’15 domaine Bruno Cormerais, a white wine from Loire, France, with a rich texture and a healthy balance of acidity and citrus flavors. 2008 W. Roscoe St.

Webster’s Wine Bar

One of Chicago’s first wine bars, Webster’s Wine Bar was founded in 1994 by Janan Asfour and Tom MacDonald after backpacking through Europe. Wines served here, selected by the well-traveled staff, have had little manipulation, which makes them as natural as possible. 2601 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773.292.9463