Bordeaux wine bars are not so much about drinking and partying. They are more about enjoying a well-deserved leisure moment French-style: relaxed atmosphere, tasting, savoring and people-watching.
Keep in mind that many Bordeaux wine bars will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Also, an important thing to know – some bars operate on a restaurant license meaning that you need to order some bites with your drink.
Bordeaux Wine Bar Recommendations
As a wine guide in Bordeaux, I have been exploring the local wine bar scene, and here are my top picks for Bordeaux wine bars.
This is my go-to place when I want to taste new wines from Bordeaux chateaux.
Located on the ground floor of the Maison du Vin de Bordeaux, the headquarters of the Bordeaux Wine Council, this art-filled wine bar is the perfect place to try wines that truly represent Bordeaux.
Le Bar a Vin serves the widest selection of Bordeaux wines by the glass with the purpose of presenting local wines to the public.
A list of about 30 wines includes reds, dry and sweet whites, rosés, clairets, and sparkling and is updated every couple of weeks.
Sommeliers are very knowledgeable and friendly. The wines are extremely well-priced.
Tip: arrive before 6 pm to avoid a long wait to be seated. In fact, Le Bar a Vin opens at 11 am. For the best-tasting experience arrive early, ask for a table outside and c’est parti – you are in the central spot of Bordeaux with excellent wines and service at a very reasonable price.
Tip 2: You can order a half-glass of any wine to sample.
Le Bar a Vin is only serving simple bites to accompany your wine. Plan dinner elsewhere.
The bar closes at 10 pm. Le Bar a Vin is closed on Sundays.
If you want to spend an evening in the heart of the Bordeaux social scene, come to Le Vertige.
Le Vertige is a friendly and modern bar.
The bar offers Bordeaux wines carefully selected by Aurelian, the young and energetic owner. Order by the glass or share a bottle accompanied by high-quality creative local appetizers.
If you like to taste some excellent high-end French wines, Le Vertige offers tastings by the glass from the self-serve enomatic machines at the back of the bar.
Tip: Reserve a table outside and enjoy the historic rue de Parlement St. Pierre. Excellent people-watching spot.
Aux 4 Coins du Vin is another bar in Quartier St. Pierre known for its impressive wine list featuring about 500 bottles from all over the world and of course, including some top names in Bordeaux.
Chloé et Benjamin, who graduated from the same wine school as me, are fond of wine and they are joined by several knowledgeable sommeliers who will help you select an interesting bottle.
When you walk into a regular bar, you’ll likely be told about the beers available on draft. But have you ever heard of wines on draft? With forty wines available by the glass, Aux Quatre Coins offers you the opportunity to fill up your glass from a soda-style machine. If you want to taste multiple wines in one night, this wine bar is perfect for you. Wines by the glass can come in either 3 cl, 6 cl, or 12 cl allowing you to try as many wines as your heart desires.
They change the selection of wine to taste almost daily so it is worth coming more than once.
Reservations are highly recommended.
Unfortunately, there is no outside seating.
Tip: Buying a bottle is way less expensive than paying for small samples. Mixed plates of appetizers are quite generous.
Julo is off the beaten path, in Quartier St. Michel.
If you want an experience of a very small local bar, Julo is perfect.
Here you will find a good selection of wine and cold cuts, cheeses, seafood and vegetable tapas.
Tip: Try to get a table outside and enjoy people-watching and the views of the magnificent St. Michel Cathedral at sunset.
Au Bon Jaja is a local bar and a wine shop with a wide selection of natural and organic wines.
Simple and homey interior, and convival atmosphere with music played on vinyls.
Tutiac is the first bistro in France founded by French winemakers.
The seating outside is very small, but you will find yourself in the center of Bordeaux social life on one of the oldest Bordeaux squares, place du Palais, with an excellent glass or a bottle (recommended) of French wine.
Good prices and very professional sommeliers.
Wine not enjoy some wine at Wine More Time?
Wine puns aside, this funky wine bar is a lively spot perfect for enjoying some charcuterie and a refreshing glass of wine.
The walls of the wine bar are covered in shelves of wine bottles of which you can choose your pick for the night.
They offer a wide range of prices so that everyone can find something within their budget. If something catches your eye that you want to save to try for another night, they also offer a wine store pricing option as well.
Choose from 450 wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Rhône, Languedoc-Roussillon, Provence, Corse, Alsace, Jura, Savoie. The bar also offers wines from other wine regions of the world.
Pair your wine with cold cuts, cheeses, foie gras, smoked ham and even chocolates.
There are only a couple of tables outside on rue St James, one of the most atmospheric streets in Bordeaux.
Tip: An excellent place to taste unusual wines from various regions of France. Do not focus on Bordeaux wines only.
Tip 2: If you are a larger group, reserve a cozy private lounge at the back of the bar.
Tucked away at the end of a quiet alley, this wine bar is a secret spot amongst locals.
On any visit, you will find one of the two owners behind the bar ready to assist you with your choice. With a passion to share organic and biodynamic wines from around the world, they hand-pick their wine menu each week to offer options on the cutting edge of the wine industry.
Anthony, one of the co-owners, is proud to say he never forgets a customer’s face, ensuring you feel like part of the family when you visit.
Learn more about every visitor who has walked into the wine bar before you by reading about their experiences recorded on the walls of the restaurant.
An artist at heart, Anthony has drawn maps on the walls so every customer can leave their mark on the wine bar.
For more useful tips about Bordeaux and its wine scene, check out my Bordeaux blog at Allwinetours.com.
