Went back this December for another oyster and bubbles pop up event after getting an email that…read morethey were hosting another event like the one we went to in the fall of 2024. We didn't experience any of the hiccups we experienced last year and very much enjoyed the wine and food and ambience. They offered tastes of five different sparkling from France, Spain, Italy and Germany. The flavors and degree of bubbles varied and were all very enjoyable in different ways. The woman at the tasting station was great--she provided short but informative tales of each of the wines (a little about the grapes, the vineyard, fun facts about the wineries, etc). We bought three different bottles of some of the wines we tasted which were reasonably priced ($28-$40 per bottle). My husband loved the oysters and ordered an additional 6 of the wildcats. I had the mushroom toast which had great meaty and earthy flavor. I also tried the spruce tip ice cream which was pine-y and unique and very creative (covered in quinoa crispies!). Service was friendly and speedy. My husband and I love Bottlehouse and recommend for anyone looking for unique wines and creative comfort foods in a cozy environment

I swear I have the most jekyl and Hyde experience here…read more I'm a regular for the past 3 years, sometimes I come and the really nice waitress is there who is so knowledgeable about French wine, cider and champagne. Last time the owner himself was there talking to us and he was amazing. But sometimes I come in and there is different staff that is so mean. This time I drove all the way from Queen Anne, and the lady looked at us (we are younger) and rolled her eyes and put us in the worst seat imaginable and asked if we had reservations. Then another older couple came in after with no reservations two minutes later and she graciously escorted them to the main room. Kinda an L because we are regulars and big spenders here. I got up and left.

Finally had time to stop in and have a glass of wine and a crape. Both were super delicious! The…read morespace is so charming and relaxing. I highly recommend stopping in for a glass of wine and a light bite. The service is excellent!!

CAGETTE WINE BAR: WHERE CABERNET MEETS CABLE CROSSES…read more Listen, while other wine bars in Madison Valley are busy being pretentious about their French pronouns, Cagette has transformed itself into the Gold's Gym of grape juice. Their sommelier doesn't just wear a tastevin around his neck - he wears it WITH A WEIGHTLIFTING BELT. The wall of vintage Gold's Gym Venice Beach photos mixed with First Growth Bordeaux bottles is nothing short of INSPIRATIONAL. Arnold's famous posed double bicep shot is perfectly positioned between the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and the Barolo section, creating what they call the "Pump & Pour" corner. Their wine flights are served on custom metal trays shaped like weight plates. The "Franco Columbu Collection" of Italian reds arrives on a mini bench press rack, and you have to complete three reps before they'll pour your Brunello. The dedication to the aesthetic is STAGGERING. You haven't lived until you've experienced their "Muscle Beach Merlot Mondays" where the sommelier spots you through a vertical tasting while shouting encouragement like "LIGHTWEIGHT BABY" and "AIN'T NOTHING BUT A PEANUT" between sips. Their wine descriptions include both tasting notes AND the optimal rep range for maximum gains. The "Lou Ferrigno Lounge" area features leather seats made from recycled weightlifting belts, and every wine glass has grip knurling. Their coasters are miniature versions of the original Gold's Gym logo, and they refuse to serve anything less than full-bodied wines because "light wines are for WIMPS." Their "Pumping Iron" wine club (which meets in what they call The Dungeon, a clear homage to the original Gold's basement) requires members to deadlift their wine allocation before taking it home. The sight of someone clean-and-jerking a case of Grand Cru Burgundy is both terrifying and beautiful. Five stars for creating a space where wine snobs and gym bros can finally coexist in perfect harmony. I've witnessed heated debates about both proper squat form AND proper wine storage temperature, often in the same conversation. P.S. Their "No Pain No Pour" policy seems strict, but you haven't lived until you've seen someone do burpees for a better pour of Barolo. P.P.S. The bathroom mirrors are positioned at optimal flexing angles, and the hand soap dispensers are shaped like dumbbells. ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Note: This review was written while watching their sommelier demonstrate proper clean-and-jerk form using a methuselah of champagne as a training weight. Special Addendum: To the customer who complained about the mandatory flex pose before entering the reserve wine room - this is about CULTURE, Karen. Final Thought: Never has there been a more perfect fusion of fine wine and fitness culture. It's like if Joe Weider opened a wine bar and Franco Columbu was the beverage director. Remember: Every wine glass comes with its own "PR" (Personal Record) tracking card, and yes, they do measure your wine lifting form. No kipping allowed on the Bordeaux pulls. Warning: Side effects may include excessive use of phrases like "crushing it," "lightweight baby," and "yeah buddy" while discussing vintage vertical tastings. P.P.P.S. Their new "Swole Somm Certification" program requires both blind tasting skills AND a minimum bench press requirement. As it should.

Very lovely experience here! The bread and butter were perfect and the staff person gave me a great…read morerec for an easy drinking, light and refreshing, orange wine. The ambiance is cute and classy and it was nice to have another spot to casually read or hang out and have a glass or two of wine and some snacks.

Super cute space. Small bites are perfect and delicious and the wine is decent. It's definitely…read moresmall but cozy. Bartender is very nice.

Where everybody knows your name....Barrels Wine Bar is a special place. I came on this visit to…read morecontinue a tradition of having a New's Eve glass of vino. I used to live within a stones throw away and was excited to discover a great local wine bar. The former owners, Tina and Joe, created the kind of spot where you can enjoy a fantastic glass of wine and relax. Josh took over, increased the food menu and added a few different touches. There is now a privacy shield on the window if you sit in a lower seat so that car headlights don't shine in your face. There are games too if you are here with a friend or few friends. As a solo person I can sit and enjoy a wine and not be bothered. Which is lovely when I want to sit, read, write and or take notes for my Yelp reviews, lol. Josh always has excellent suggestions. I trust his taste implicitly. If I don't know what I want, I tell him what I like, and he will make a great suggestion. Barrels is a perfect spot to do it! It is also a great spot to pregame if you have plans in the city. Within walking distance to the park and ride.Do it! Drink good wine and live your best life. Support local businesses. Barrels is a perfect spot to do it! SYOY!

If you're looking for that perfect neighborhood wine bar where the pours are generous, the vibes…read moreare warm, and the people are unforgettable, look no further than Barrels on Mercer Island. From the moment Josh greets you, you know you're in good hands. He has a gift for recommending the right glass whether you want something bold, silky, funky, or a little adventurous. And then there's the staff--yes, Jim, I absolutely mean you. Quirky, hilarious, and genuinely passionate about wine, the Barrels crew turns a simple night out into something special every single time. The wine list is curated with care, the flights are always fun, and the small bites pair perfectly without trying too hard. It's the kind of place where you come for a drink and somehow end up staying for two more because the conversation is just that good. Barrels is more than a wine bar--it's a community living room. If you love great wine, good people, and a place that feels like home, this is it. Cheers to the Barrels team for creating a space Mercer Island didn't just need... but deserved.

Valentina Wine Bar is such a great spot. The owner absolutely hustles and always brings a positive,…read morewelcoming vibe -- you can tell how much care she puts into the place. It never feels forced, just genuinely good energy. The flatbreads are unreal (from Milan), and the wine selection is really well thought out. She's great at helping you pick something you'll like and has definitely helped me branch out and try new wines I wouldn't normally order. The vibe is super chill with great music. It works just as well for a date as it does for getting some work done or just relaxing with a glass of wine. Highly recommend.

Stopped here for a glass of wine with a friend on a weekday evening. The vibes are gorgeous- it is…read moresuch a cool space and is immediately captivating. They do have a good wine list, but the pricing is HIGH. Think $25-$45 PER GLASS. Some of the wines this made sense for, but they really should consider adding a wine or two below $25 per glass. I have my WSET 2 and know a decent amount about wines so could understand why some of them were priced like this, but the whole menu being this high was strange. $32 for a glass of pinot noir didn't sit right with me. We asked to do flights so we could try a few things, but they said they were only doing glass pours. We asked for a rec for an acidic, fruity red and felt like the gal just told us the most expensive non-tannic red on the menu. Fine. For $32 a glass, I would not order what I got again. We headed to a restaurant after and got $14 glass pours that we preferred. This is a great place to go to impress someone with the chic vibes, but good wine can be found elsewhere at a fraction of the price. I do see the appeal though. It was also pretty loud when we went, so we chose to finish our conversation elsewhere.

TLDR: One of the best pit stops in the area and 100% worth your time…read more Wine: - Really good selection of whites, reds, and everything in between. - They also have a beer (1) and an aperitif if thats not your thing. - They actually pour a good portion of wine. Unlike most places you feel like you're getting your max value per dollar. Vibes: - Staff is super super super welcoming, warm, and friendly. - It can get a little loud, but it's just reflects how happy people are to be there. - While it looks like there not a lot of seats, there are. It's just not reflected very well in the pictures. What can be better? I'm sure they have their reasons but - the hours. It would be great if they were open until 11 on the weekends.

I love the vibe of this place. This is a great place for the wine nerd that I am. Great selection…read moreof interesting wines curated with care. And if you don't know wine well they'll let you sip before you buy a glass if they have it open. Al is a friendly guy that knows wine and was fun to talk to.

So this is a very delayed review. Due to the holidays and life getting in the way but I wanted to…read moremake sure I write this because I had such a great experience here that I'm still thinking about it. My partner and I are just in the beginning stages of wine education and we absolutely loved this place. The selection of reds are amazing and yes the cursive on the chalk board is hard to focus on at a distance but you just have to read. Not too hard. Laura was an amazing guide and I could not get enough of her, she took really good care of us. She was knowledgeable, effervescent, with just a touch of sassiness; which my partner and I live for!!!! She really made our night. Great vibes all around and I feel like I really learned something about French wines and just wine overall. When I come back to downtown I will be sure to frequent this wine bar because, honey. I'm a fan!!!!!

Great vibes and good food. There can be a line and there's limited seating. Menu can be hard to…read moreread on the chalk board so ask if you're confused. Wine was great, beef tartare wasn't my favourite but there's a mushroom dish I really liked. Small plates so if you want to be full, get the dish or more bread.

Great Staff Went here with coworkers 18+ people and they were so kind made every Oder with…read morededication and didn't complain on us being in there space. Food was all right, this is primarily a coffee/brunch spot. Bacon egg and cheese was the best or short ribs if you have a big appetite

Cute interior, friendly service, delicious looking cookies made in house (that I can't eat bc of my…read morecut) and a smooth nitro with oatmeal cream....you can't beat this kind of Sunday morning. I will 100% be back for a drink, a cookie and to just hang.

First, I have to say the service was so great! The server was very knowledgeable and personable…read more They gave great recommendations and checked in regularly. The drinks we had were fabulous. The ambiance was modern but very cozy and it made for a fantastic spot for a date or to sit and chat with a friend. I would definitely come back here again!

Very warm cozy environment with a nice selection of wines including Syrah. Friendly service. Tasty…read morebites. Perfect spot for a date or to catch up with girlfriends.

We love this place! It is a perfect neighborhood place with amazing people and really good food!…read moreEverything we have had on the menu is so good and we love that there is breakfast all day.

Really good breakfast/brunch experience. We tried different types of omelette with side of sausage…read morelinks. Delicious and filling! Next time I'm in Seattle, this will be by go to place for breakfast/brunch.