School’s out for summer and even though it’s a great break from the school year routine, parents have a lot on their plates. If you’re looking for a grown-up outing with a nice glass of wine, or maybe even a wine tasting, this is the list for you. Check out our top picks for where to sip wine in Austin, from the laid-back and affordable to the more indulgent of varietals.
If you’re looking to drive a bit out of town and check out some of Austin’s wineries, read about Wineries & Distilleries from our friends at Do512.
— Cape Bottle Room
500 San Marcos Street, Suite 102
This East Austin tasting room, bottle shop, and wholesale distributor features unique and sustainable South African wines. We love the backstory, too! Owners Cory and Donya are parents who dreamed of creating a Cape Bottle room to be focused on community. Cape Bottle Room has events like wine and sushi flights, wine and chocolate nights, and more here.
— APT 115
2025 E 7th St.
This adorable spot is known for its thoughtful selections of wine, cheese, and charcuterie boards, as well as seasonal dishes. They serve wine from all six wine-producing continents and focus on small-production and low-intervention wines. The restaurant is small, so we recommend making a reservation.
— Aviary Wine + Kitchen
2110 S Lamar Blvd.
Sip and savor boutique wines at South Lamar’s coziest wine bar. Aviary’s strong list suits any palate and invites you to try something new and stay awhile. If you’re looking for a low-key vibe that strikes the right tone for slow sipping and conversation, shoot on over to this wine bar.
— Cru Food & Wine Bar Downtown
238 W 2nd St Unit 13
Cru Wine Bar has two area locations — in The Domain and the downtown 2nd Street district. Cru pairs its wine with Napa-style foods and offers more than a dozen wine flights. You can check out Cru Wine Bar’s Sunday Brunch and specials, Pizza Mondays, and Champagne Social Thursdays here.
— L’Oca d’Oro
1900 Simond Ave
We’re big fans of this Mueller spot for its great food and wine selection. This is a prime location to go for a drink post-playdate with other families. Head in when the kids are worn out and order them something delicious from the children’s menu while you relax with a glass of vino.
— Lenoir
1807 S 1st St.
One of the most romantic spots in town, Lenoir is perfect for a special date night. In the backyard Wine Garden, you can enjoy several small and shareable plates as well as the wine menu. Happy Hour specials are 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm, and you can get more info here.
— Neighborhood Vitner
3663 Bee Caves Rd #4D
This chic Westlake wine shop and modern wine bar has tasting classes, happy hours, a wine club, and more. It’s a great little spot to have a delicious glass of wine – with their accompanying truffle chips – and have a chat with the other patrons.
— Opa! Coffee & Wine Bar
2050 S Lamar Blvd.
This family-owned and operated establishment offers a wide variety of unique wines, and beers, a full bar, local coffee, and Greek-inspired food. Enjoy a glass of wine while sitting under the large oak trees, listening to live music on their spacious front patio.
— The Austin Winery
440 E St Elmo Rd A1
Austin’s first urban winery offers high-quality wine sourced from around the world. Their grapes are transported in macro bins to the Austin facility where they crush, de-stem, press, ferment, filtrate, blend, bottle, and serve you. They also offer a variety of fun events from movie nights to yoga, which you can check out here.
— The Carillon
1900 University Ave.
The Carillon’s wine program is focused on value for rare and interesting wines. Their Happy Hour is Tuesday through Saturday, 5 pm – 6:30 pm, and features half-off prices from their regular cocktail and wine list. Walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling (512) 404-3655.
— The Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen
Four Austin Locations Here
Offering 10 wine flights, 50 wines by the glass, and 200 by the bottle as well as a full bar with craft cocktails. They also have Lola Savannah coffee shop adjacent to each of their four Grove Wine Bar & Kitchen restaurants.
— Vintage Book Store and Wine Bar
1101 E 11th St.
Settle into the “living room” at Vintage Book Store with a great glass of wine and a snack. Their wine list features sparkling, whites, reds, rose, and orange, as well as beer and canned cocktails.
— Wanderlust Wine Co.
Three Austin Locations Here
Wanderlust’s self-pour system allows you to choose from up to 60 wines from around the world, and you only pay for what you pour. Serving from tap lets Wanderlust Wine Co. offer affordable prices for fresh and sustainable wines and is a perfect place to gather with friends to try new vinos.
— House Wine (Opening again soon!)
1711 South 1st St
As of June 2024, House Wine is under construction at its new location at 1711 S. 1st Street. House Wine has been an Austin fave for 16 years and features a global wine collection, pizza, empanadas, charcuterie and cheese boards, and more. Join their email list and check their Instagram for updates on when the new location will be up and running!
More:
- Romantic Ideas for Your Next Date Night
- Family-Friendly Happy Hours
- Giant List of Where to Sip Wine from our friends at Do512
