Inside: D'Vine Wine Bar

(Credit: Ann McDonald)

Photos:

There’s no better place to grab a glass of wine downtown than D’Vine Wine Bar. An after-work staple for the downtown crowd, the wine bar is also a popular weekend destination for its impressive wine selection and comfy, sophisticated atmosphere.

Libations: From imported to domestic selections, D’Vine’s wine menu will not disappoint. Not only can you enjoy their many wines by the bottle or glass, you can also partake in a wine flight to sample a few before deciding on your favorite. Each flight includes two ounces of four different wines, in either a red or white variety. In case you don’t like wine, D’Vine also has a variety of domestic and imported beers as well as a number of unique martinis, like the D’Vine in the City, a martini with champagne and raspberry.

Food:  There’s plenty to nibble on to complement the wine of your choice. From the wine-bar staple—a cheese plate overloaded with sophisticated fromage and fruit—to heartier pizzas, you can eat as little or much as you like. The tapas menu also has a wide range of treats, like the hot crock, a delicious artichoke spread or the black and blue burgers. Although the bar’s emphasis is on tapas (small appetizer plates), there’s plenty of entrees on the menu, like the delicious pesto pizza, making it a great place to grab dinner.

Décor: D’Vine proves that a wine bar doesn’t have to be stuffy. The cozy, sophisticated decor provides a comfortable, homey setting for sipping on vino. The fireplace, comfy couches and chairs make it a great place to lounge around on a cold winter night warming up with some of the bar’s choice red wines. D'Vine also has a couple of TVs, so you can keep up with whatever big sporting event is on that night.

Service: The servers really know their wine and are happy to share their recommendations with you; which is a good thing because the menu can be a little overwhelming for the wine neophyte. Servers at D'Vine expect visitors to have questions, and are more than willing to share their favorites or describe a wine to help you make a decision.

Crowd: During the week the bar brings in a large after-work crowd, so the age range can vary widely. During the weekend it’s a hot spot for young urbanites looking for a more sophisticated alternative to the W. 6th bars. The crowd at D’Vine is usually dressed to impress, despite the bar’s casual, comfy vibe once you get inside.

Insider Tips: Try one of the wine flights—it’s the best way to sample a few wines without committing to something you don’t know that you'll like. And on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., take advantage of the bar’s half-priced flight night.

Bottom Line:  Even if you don’t like wine, D’Vine is worth a stop. With its delicious tapas choices and impressive martini menu, there really is something for everyone. Plus, you never know who you’ll see there—on a visit to the bar not too long ago, we saw Anderson “Wild Thing” Varejao of the Cavs.

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