10 Best Wine Bars in CT [2024 Update]
Whether you’re on a date or simply meeting up with friends, it’s never a bad time to enjoy some wine. And, since we recently reviewed all of the top wineries in Connecticut, I thought it made sense to put together a companion guide to the best wine bars.
After testing out all of the most popular places to drink wine in the state, here’s our updated list of the best wine bars in CT.
Top Wine Bars in Connecticut
1. Barcelona Wine Bar – Several Locations
Barcelona Wine Bar is one of the most popular wine bars in Connecticut. It’s a Spanish bar and restaurant with multiple locations throughout the state. You can them in West Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Norwalk, and Fairfield.
This wine bar features over 400 exquisite wines, along with a solid food menu. If you plan on dining here, I highly recommend you order the tapas, which pair perfectly with the wine. Barcelona Wine Bar gets so many rave reviews that it also made our list of best bars in CT.
- Address 1: 971 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT
- Address 2: 155 Temple St, New Haven, CT
- Address 3: 4180 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT
2. Lugano Salumeria & Wine Bar – Old Greenwich, CT
Lugano Salumeria is an excellent restaurant and wine bar in CT. Located in Old Greenwich, this spot features a diverse selection of wines that are perfect for happy hour.
You can order by the glass or by the bottle from their expansive wine list, which includes nearly 50 white and red wines. Aside from wine, Lugano Salumeria & Wine Bar is also known for its delicious Italian food.
- Address: 1392 E Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, CT
3. The Library Wine Bar and Bistro – Wallingford, CT
The Library Wine Bar and Bistro can be found in Wallingford. This Connecticut wine bar is one of the town’s most historic landmarks, offering a selection of wines from around the globe.
The cuisine at The Library is made with fresh local ingredients, so I recommend you try some food here while enjoying your glass of wine. The Sunday brunch buffet is particularly good.
- Address: 60 N Main St, Wallingford, CT
4. Vinted Wine Bar – West Hartford, CT
Vinted Wine Bar is a modern tavern that features a range of delicious wines on its menu, along with some light food items. They have over 80 different wines on the menu, all available in 3 or 6-ounce pours.
The wine bottles are stored in temperature-controlled rooms to ensure each glass of wine tastes fresh. If someone in your group doesn’t drink wine, Vinted Wine Bar also has a full cocktail bar with a variety of bourbon, beer, and scotch on the menu. You can find this CT wine bar at Blue Back Square in West Hartford.
- Address: 63 Memorial Rd, West Hartford, CT
5. Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant – Norwalk, CT
Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant is a sommelier’s paradise. This Spanish wine bar offers an extensive wine list of exquisite wines from around the world, authentic tapas, and live music.
The menu includes wines like red, white, champagne, rose, and sparkling, along with sangria. The winery has a high-energy atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor seating. If you’re dining here, I highly recommend ordering the penne tablao.
Aside from its main Norwalk location, Tablao Wine Bar & Restaurant has a second restaurant in Ridgefield.
- Address: 86 Washington St, Norwalk, CT
- Address 2: 426 Main St F, Ridgefield, CT
6. Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar – Middletown, CT
Esca Restaurant & Wine Bar is another fantastic wine bar in Connecticut. You can find the bar in Middletown, on the corner of Main Street and Washington Street.
This spot has an extensive wine cellar of over 100 different wines and great customer service. The food is really good, as it combines the best of dishes from Sicily and Northern Italy.
- Address: 437 Main St, Middletown, CT
7. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar – West Hartford, CT
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse is another one of Connecticut’s wine bars in the Hartford area. This luxury wine bar and steakhouse offers some of the best food and service and the state.
A few of the wines on the menu include chardonnay, merlot, pinot noir, and cabernet. The hand-crafted cocktails are top-notch as well. Just know that this restaurant can get expensive, especially if you’re ordering wine by the bottle.
- Address: 44 S Main St, West Hartford, CT
8. Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant – Several Locations
Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant is one of CT’s wine bars with multiple locations. You can visit the bar in New Haven, Greenwich, Westport, and West Hartford, to discover their lengthy list of champagne and sparkling wines.
This is also a great place to visit for dinner, especially if you take advantage of their happy hour specials. Harvest Wine Bar & Restaurant uses local and organic ingredients, so the food is always good and tastes fresh.
- Address: 64 LaSalle Rd, West Hartford, CT
9. Ballou’s Restaurant & Wine Bar – Guilford, CT
Ballou’s Restaurant is one of the Connecticut wine bars that offers affordable wine flights. At the bar or at your table, you can choose from over sixty wines by the glass, including white, red, and rose, along with a few light and fruity wines.
They have a solid food menu as well, offering a variety of savory and sweet dishes. The cheese and meat plates are the perfect pairing for any glass of wine. If you plan on visiting Ballou’s Restaurant & Wine Bar, just know that they are closed on Tuesdays.
- Address: 51 Whitfield St #1, Guilford, CT
10. Public Wine Bar SoNo – Norwalk, CT
Public Wine Bar is another one of the CT wine bars found in Norwalk. This bar and restaurant offers a superb wine selection at an affordable price, specifically during happy hour.
If you plan on eating lunch or dinner here, the food menu features Mediterranean cuisine but has some New England favorites like steak and lobster. The dessert here is really good as well.
- Address: 88 Washington St, Norwalk, CT
Connecticut Wine Bars – Final Thoughts
That’s our list of the best wine bars in the state. Many of these spots offer food in addition to wine, so they are more than just a traditional bars. Whichever one you choose, you’re in for a great experience.
