I don't write a lot of reviews, but I had SUCH a beautiful experience at Banter that I needed to post this. I live in San Francisco and don't get over to El Cerrito much, but clearly I need to plan more friend dates there just for an excuse to hang at Banter. The wine was delicious - thoughtful and fun list of by-the-glass options, plus lots of bottles that looked super interesting. The ambiance was perfection - analog all the way, with stacks of VHS tapes and vinyl playing on the sound system. It felt homey and comforting and nostalgic and indulgent. But the service was the best part - it's not often that you get a staff person who understands that a wine bar like this provides an essential space for friend therapy sessions and catch-ups, and sometimes those moments spill past closing time. Thank you for so graciously staying open for us, making us feel welcome, and providing the mot wonderful customer service. read more

Overall 4.5 Food / Wine 5 Service 4 Ambiance 5 I was looking for a cozy wine bar north of Berkeley and Yelp did not disappoint. Banter sits alongside the main road, close to a market and record store. They have a nice selection of natural wines, including some local ones that I wasn't familiar with. Food / Wine: I did a flight ($24 for 3 half-pours). I went with a sparkling rose, a springy white, and finished with a gamay. All were delicious, especially the sparkling rose. I also ordered the anchovy plate. The bread, butter, and pepper spread were great. I imagine their larger charcuterie board would be perfect for a party of 2 or more. Service: There was one person working and four customers at the bar. I was greeted and everything came out quick enough. My only knock is that in a place called Banter you'd think the staff would have a bit of banter, at least an introduction in an effort to create some regulars. Ambiance: This was my favorite part of the experience. There's a nice collection of vinyl along with VHS tapes. The combination of the Psychedelic Furs on vinyl while Mannequin was playing on some very small old TVs was definitely a delightful throwback... and yes, I recognized Andrew McCarthy and named the movie in less than 3-minutes Clean restroom, great actually vintage decor, and a pinball machine that will get some attention from me next time! read more

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Fabulous neighborhood wine bar! Great food options and they usually feature pop-up restaurants too! Service is friendly and attentive. Ambiance is casual but you can dress up if you want to. They have pinball in the back and I believe they offer trivia night. The wine selections are always fabulous. Come here on a date or with a group! Highly recommend! read more

Banter Wine - Cheese board and wine at the counter - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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This place has such a cool vibe! It feels like you've walked into someone's house. There is tons of art and retro stuff on the walls. Home alone was playing on multiple screens when I went. Vinyl playing on turntables and a high quality charcuterie board. read more

Banter Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

I'm not often in the area but have been back to Banter a couple more times, including most recently a couple of weeks ago. I have since learned that the online shop is just for pick up and shipping and that those bottles aren't necessarily in the wine bar itself so if you're looking to pick up something from the online store to drink in the wine bar, be sure to arrange that in advance (I'd suggest as early as possible) so they can have the wine brought to the wine bar and chill it if necessary so it's the proper serving temperature for you to drink in-house. I'm absolutely blown away by the wines they have on offer and the prices at which they're able to offer them. This is easily one of the best places to pick up higher end French wines for pretty competitive, if not the lowest prices in the area. They have cheese and charcuterie available and make a pretty good jambon beurre. From time to time, they'll host popups from local chefs and they will take over the food - we had some really delicious halibut crudo and duck confit, which paired nicely with our wines! Lastly, they host a ton of really great events. I randomly stopped in one night and it was a completely packed house for trivia night. I wasn't able to stay long, but it was awesome to feel the energy of the place. Even when it's quieter, I love the vibe with vinyl playing and old VHS tapes playing - very nostalgic! read more

Located in the small pass thru commuter town of El Cerrito, Banter is not too far from Central on San Pablo Avenue. The inside is retro mellow reminiscent of cafes that you used to find in SF's Mission District back in the day. Unlike a cafe, Banter is a Wine bar with natural light vibes and a relaxed, mature crowd. This fun place is run by Devon, the man behind the counter and owner and master mind of this wine bar which offers a favorable menu of whites, rosés, reds, sparklings and even orange wines along with a reasonable menu of appetizers such as olives, a meat and cheese platter and even an anchovy platter which I hope to try next time. Along with the comfy and casual vibe, they have a record player that provides the music. They were playing a lot of Band of Horses and I enjoyed it very much. The wines are fairly priced ranging from $10-$18 or so and our man Devon gives you a very good pour. If you are lucky to stake out the couch, you will spend a comfy 2 hours socializing. Really had fun here and look forward to coming here again in the future. read more

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Came here to check out the wine bar and it did not disappoint! Loved how big it was on the inside and there is also a back room with some old school arcade game. I loved the decor and ambiance here. Great for a date or to hangout with friends. They also offer natural wines too. You can buy it by the glass or bottles here. Very clean interior and plenty of seats! You order at the bar. Parking was a little hard to find but if you go in the streets behind you can find something. Beautiful place and ambiance. read more

Banter Wine - Beautiful decor - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

Good cheese plate, good wines, relaxing atmosphere. When I'm in El Cerrito about once a month to help out my parents, I need wine. I was a little upset that they are closed on Sundays but I get it, the owners want a day off. Luckily, right down the street is Scene Wine Bar for those Sunday wine needs. Banter has some unique wines. I wanted to like the Richmond white blend but it's not for me, tasted too young and green. A Trebbiano d'Abruzzo from Italy was better. More importantly than the wine, a comfortable place to hang out with my good friends to relax and talk. read more

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Cool spot, we went after visiting the EC natural food market. My friend and I stopped in to this gem of a spot. It was cool inside with records and tapes from the 80's and beyond and the vibe was very relaxed. Her and I both got a flight which was super reasonable. I appreciated you could pick any wine they offered for that day, no preselection. I will be back. read more

I love this place. All the wines we tried were delicious. I love that you can build your own flight! We got the meat and cheese plate which we also really enjoyed, and the staff were super friendly. Very fun, funky decor. Can't wait to go back. read more

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Poor El Cerrito. It must be rough to be the sibling of a much more exciting and vibrant Richmond, CA. Nothing ever happens in EC. There's no more Off the Grid, the plaza is meh but they keep trying. Except for the fantastic salsa/music nights across the street at EC Natural. So, when I heard of this place but didn't have a reason to come because it's EC and why??? But I came here because my husband was going with a coworker and her French mother. And boy, am I glad! This spot is ahhh-mazing. The wine was good, the charcuterie came with good cheese and the gluten-free crackers. I don't eat after others and arrived a bit late after work (I got off at 4:30 and they got off at 3). They'd already finished one board and ordered one once I got there. It was soooo good. And the sweet, spicy Peruvian pepper jam added a wonderful kick. The vibe hit the right spot for me. It has a very Berkeley-ish without the pretension and accompanying squalor. They had records playing and the music was groove-worthy. There were different styles of music and it was a joy to have a conversation with a good, yet non-distracting set of albums. And they played the album, not the singles only which added to the atmosphere. They also had VHS movies in the background. But they have so many wines! And yes, they are a bit pricey to me, but they are a small, local spot and I would pay the price just to enjoy my find there. So, I will definitely be back for a glass and a nosh on my way to somewhere else. It's worth it. And while there, don't forget to get a $5 wine opener with their name on it. read more

We ordered a flight to try three different wines. None of them were impressive. All too bland. Don't feel like they are good quality wine for the price we paid. Service was very good though. read more

Banter Wine - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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Amidst the bustling traffic in El Cerrito, there's a hidden gem and a recent addition to the area. Blink and you'll miss it. Even during a brief pause at a stop light when there's a chance to look around, it's highly probable that you'll still miss it. There's no signage on the building itself, so look for the wine barrels sitting on the sidewalk as your clue, or perhaps you'll spot their small sandwich board just outside their front door. Find parking somewhere near 10368 San Pablo Avenue, the address to Banter, a wine bar with a warm atmosphere, welcoming decor, and communal tables. Offering a curated selection of old and new world wines, Banter focuses on small producers who prioritize minimal intervention from vineyard to bottle. On location, you can purchase a bottle from the shelves to enjoy at home or savor a glass (or bottle) in-house. If you need something to eat while you're there, choose from various delicious snacks including cheese, charcuterie, and other tasty treats. During the pandemic, while drinking wine and eating cheese in their backyard, owners Claire and Devin were inspired to open a wine bar, but they wanted their wine bar to feel like "home," - comfy, casual, no frills, just...chill. A collection of cozy couches in the back creates an ambiance reminiscent of enjoying a drink in the living room of your most stylish friend. Classic VHS tapes and 80's knick-knacks are precariously stacked high next to small vintage TVs playing films that will take you back in time. When I was last there the original Flash Gordon was playing. You probably won't get to hear any of the movie dialogue because the bar is spinning LPs from an ever-expanding vinyl collection, fueled by contributions from patrons. A pinball machine in the back room adds to the decor's nostalgic charm and provides an entertaining distraction between pours. With a partial kitchen, Banter partners with local talent and the community to create new opportunities by featuring "pop-ups" - temporary restaurants that allow chefs and restaurateurs to try out a new neighborhood, experiment with their menu, generate a following, or just get some great experience for their staff. During my most recent visit, I got a front-row seat at the bar to witness Chef Emmanual from the restaurant Bolita work his magic with fresh masa, a must-have ingredient at the center of all his signature dishes. Most notable was the Tamal de Calabaza which featured squash masa, mole negro tamal, roasted kabocha, and cashew crema. A nice compliment was the Papas Rositazadas, simple roasted potatoes with black garlic aioli. Both were deliciously elevated and beautifully plated for such a casual environment. Unfortunately by the time you read this Bolita would have moved on to their next location but you can track them down on their website at www.bolitamasa.com. Banter will continue to feature pop-ups and to find out what's in store next visit their location or follow their Instagram @banter_winebar. As temporary as the pop-up food concept is, Banter is hopefully here for good as they focus on what's most important, which is most fittingly stated by the intentionally sloppy, hand-painted sign in front, "Bad Signs, Good Wigns!" read more

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A cozy, rustic, vintage style wine bar. It features a long bar with bistro style tables and a little couch area. We went on a cooler Sat evening and it was a great place to catch up with a friend. Vintage posters, record and VHS tapes serve as decor. They offer up a select few wines by the glass, a flight option or feel free to buy a brittle to enjoy. They do have limited canned beer and cider, as well. Food wise, I spied some nibbles like almonds and chips, but also 2-3 more substantial items like charcuterie and a ham and cheese baguette. I went with the $20 flight and selected 3 wines. There's about 3-4 different wines under each category: bubbles, red and white. The 3 reds I selected were fine. I wouldn't say I loved any of the ones I tasted, but none were bad. The team was helpful and friendly. This spot screams "locals". So what a win for El Cerrito with this gem. Coming from Berkeley, I wouldn't say this is a must, but with a friend that lives nearby it's a perfect place to meet up. read more

Thank you so much Banter Wine for opening in El Cerrito! Our community was looking for something a little different with a different pace/vibe and for years I'm sure on the tip of everyone's tongue was..we really need a wine bar! Well, you delivered! From the great pour value, awesome staff, cool ambience and delicious bites, we can't wait to continue to explore your menus & watch you continue to expand! read more

Came here for the first time on Saturday after following their journey on Instagram. What a great place. You can tell that everything, from the wines to the tiles to the food, etc was all selected with love and attention. We sat at the bar and enjoyed a couple of wines - sparkling and red from their menu and the cheese plate which had acme bread, spicy jam and hard and soft cheese. All yummy! Then we bought a bottle of Cava from the wall of wines and enjoyed that the rest of the evening. Service was friendly, attentive and educational as we learned about how they source their wines. Overall a great place to feel like a home away from home. We were relaxed and happy. I can see myself coming here regularly. read more

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I was meeting a friend to catch up and we decided to meet at Banter. What a great decision that was. We were impressed with the cute space and friendly staff. We opted to purchase a bottle of Viognier as it was the better value knowing we would each have at least two glasses. We also ordered the cheese plate and olives to snack on. The wine was good, the cheese was deliciously complemented with Acme bread, and the olives were tasty too with a hint of orange zest. I think the prices are quite reasonable, as mentioned before a bottle seems to be a better value and what you don't finish they will cork and bag the bottle for you to take home. I can't wait to return. read more

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The food is delicious and locally sourced! Great prices- I love doing the wine flights. Such a cute local spot, welcoming staff and they always have pop ups with other businesses! Great spot to bring friends for a nice relaxed wine bar! read more

Banter Wine - Wine selection for purchasing bottles - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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I'm in the middle of the road with this place. I'm happy the space they occupy has been reinvented into a social space. Beyond that I feel it's a bit over priced for the servings you get. We were charged 15.00 per glass after being told 12.00. Wine we had was okay. Met some peeps from the neighborhood which was fun. Interesting mix of people. Fun to try. For us, most likely not returning. I say try it to support local businesses in El Cerrito. This is my experience and yours may be different. read more

Banter is well named, this is looking like a good community stop with plenty of people enjoying fine food and plenty of conversation - hums like no other bar in the area. Usually when a new place opens here things go slow but Banter is bringing in a lot of people. It seems they are open on Wednesdays too now, and it was busy for the time of week. Inside it's a cozy environment and staff are very friendly. Ordered the meat plate and a glass of wine and the portions were generous indeed, with excellent bread, good strong mustard, and pickles that my tongue is still tingling from. As the name suggests it's primarily a wine place, selling local bottles as well but glasses of good quality at a reasonable price, and there are a few beers to be had. It's going to be interesting to see how this place develops but suspect it's going to be a valuable addition to the neighborhood. read more

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Such a fun and intimate vibe at Banter. I went with a coworker and the staff was so helpful and patient as we tasted our way through the wide range of wine offerings. I loved the orange wine and the sparkling red! Can't wait to go back. read more

Banter Wine - Love the wallpaper! - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

A wine bar that I can walk to? Dangerous. Very glad there's now this option in El Cerrito. The decor is fun and it was busy on a Friday night. The owners and staff are friendly, and I enjoy the wine. The few I tried are among the natural and/or organic lean, which is a (good) trend now. They had a carbonic Mexican red, which was bright and had a bit of salinity. I got the terrine and that was yummy. Looking forward to future buzzed strolls home! read more

Finally made it in with a couple of girlfriends and we all enjoyed the ambiance and wine! Yes, it is definitely expensive and overall a lot more Berkeley upscale than EC-Richmond casual but honestly it fills a niche. I didn't realize until I experienced it, how nice it is to have a bar option that is not full of bros and no TV blaring sports. Nice service from two staff working. Lots of women meeting up with friends and couples on dates. It is a touch loud (music plus no noise-deadening). read more

I'm so happy El Cerrito has this great wine bar! The staff is friendly and helpful, the snacks are delicious and they also have really good pop-ups from time to time. I love the decor. Definitely check it out! read more

Banter is a local's wine bar with extensive by the glass offerings. The by the glass list is interesting and changes often. The servers are very knowledgeable and can walk you through it. read more

We came here for a drink and a bite on a Friday afternoon and it was lovely. Wonderful wines that feel special, good size pours, friendly crew, beautiful space, and a delicious cheese plate. We are so thrilled Banter has opened in El Cerrito! read more

Fun and lively, easy to get seating, reasonable prices and attentive staff! I would definitely come back here!

I joined the wine club, don't always love their wine selections but they are quite different and nothing I would choose. I do like to support local businesses so will give them more time. read more

I just love, love, love this place. It's my favorite neighborhood joint. Great wine, great people, enchanting decor.

The place plays VHS Tapes and vinyl! Fell in love with it right away and the staff is so done to earth and friendly! Would highly recommend!

Have been wanting to try this spot on SPA in El Cerrito. Cote du Rhone. Delicious cheese plate. Atmosphere. Now open Tuesday. I'll be back!

A wonderful addition to the El Cerrito community, where one can relax, sample some interesting wines and tasty bites, and even hear oneself a good part of the time.( if that's of interest) The charming and welcoming owners will be happy to guide you through the current wine selections, offer a taste to whet the palate and you may even wish to purchase one of the bottles displayed on the wall opposite the Bar. Please go if you haven't. I suspect you'll like it and may even become a regular! read more

My favorite wine bar! This is such a lovely, well decorated space to come to for a friendly glass or bottle. Claire and Devin are both extremely knowledgeable and fun to chat with about what's on their carefully crafted wine list. The snacks never disappoint-- highly recommend the cheese plate and anchovies. Parking is easy and I also love that melodee is just around the corner. read more

Very enjoyable to hang out and have a glass of wine. Nice people, good selection. Good quality (and taste) small plates- basically bread and cheese. read more

Love this place! It's around the corner from my brother and sister in law's home. We walk over and it's a cozy ambiance. They have a bar and then tables. The couches are inviting. They've got VHS tapes, a record player for the music and a pinball machine in the back room. Honestly, they've got everything a millennial could ever want! The owners are both kind and the food is good for a snack. This is a great spot for a date night or to bring a group of people. It's walk in so first come, first served. Definitely purchase a bottle to drink while there. You can also join their wine club if you like! read more

So happy they're finally open! Really great wine and beer selection, tasty snacks (charcuterie and cheese boards, nuts, olives, etc.), good music on the record player, and very cute vintage decor. I'm excited for the monthly wine club, too. The neighborhood really needed a spot like this. read more

This is a great place to stop in for a glass or three of wine! Add a plate of their fine charcuterie and you could almost make it a meal. It's a fun, lively atmosphere and I really enjoyed my time here. I will be returning asap! read more

A lovely local bar with great service, great selection, great company. All the wines I tried were unique snd delicious. Also really pleased to see they have beer and cider read more

Banter Wine - Cheese meat plate - Wine Bars Near Me - El Cerrito, California

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I've been wanting to try this place since before they opened. Finally got the chance when some friends were in town and staying nearby. We currently have an 8 week old newborn and apparently no one under 21 is allowed and we were told to leave- big LOL - ok. I totally understand liquor license laws, etc but cmon. I guess my newborn looks like a narc ‍ read more

Just what this area needed! Variety of wines by the glass (I'm personally a fan of the chilled reds), affordable small bites, with a fun unpretentious vibe (always a VHS or vinyl playing as you sip). I should mention, the staff accidentally charged me for the wrong wine once, and the owners immediately comped my glass and asked if I wanted a pour of anything else. They were overly sweet for a simple mistake. I've gone every weekend and it's pretty packed! So I'm excited they'll be open on Wednesdays now too. read more