We had been to this place several times years ago when we lived in BloNo, and always had a great experience. When we were back visiting recently, we decided to stop back in. We went on a Friday afternoon, and there were people in there, but still quiet, which was nice. We sat at the bar, and our server was helpful and checked us without being overbearing. The menu selection is great - not too small, not too big. Wines from different US locations, but also France, Italy, etc., so a nice option for everyone. They also had a board with special limited releases. We each had our own glass of wine and shared a third to try 3 different wines. Their prices are super reasonable, and they have quality selections. We also ordered some cheese to snack on. Delicious charcuterie options, as well as some other items like The Rock's hummus - yum! This is such a gem for the area. You can also take items home and shop from their storefront. Nice staff and a thoughtful menu. We will be back next time we are in town! read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Got our drinking on at this Normal wine bar. It happens to be located close to the ISU campus. Stave doesn't get many students. Mostly because they're elsewhere slamming bad beers and Jell-O shots probably. That leaves more room for us here though. Choosing was made easier by the limited choices. It's got a wine list with only a few each of reds and whites, with quite a few California ones. They have some Italian ones too. Good prices for a glass. It's about $9 for a glass of the Sandhi. Basically this is a Chardonnay from the Central Coast. The Central Coast of California that is. It's about $2 for munchies such as apricots. They also have charcuterie boards with cheeses and meats. For sure it's a chill place compared to other bars on campus. It's open from the afternoons to the evenings. They're closed Sundays. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Sandhi And Apricots - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

The hors d'oeuvres , service & ambience was very delightful! The location was 2 blocks from my hotel Very quaint but has a community feel! I'll certainly recommend this location read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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I have never been treated as poorly by a server than by the one here. I am 23 years old and went to get a glass of wine with my husband for our first night out without our baby and got asked to leave because the server said my id was a fake. She was as rude as can be with her remarks and was not even worth trying to prove that it was real to because I no longer had an interest in staying. extremely disappointed with how I was treated read more

I loved this place. The outdoor seating was so quaint, it was like being at a little bistro in Europe. The server was attentive and gave good recommendations. I was traveling with a grown man that has the palette of a toddler. If it is not a burger and Miller Lite he is not interested. So this place was a stretch. Exotic cheese and micro brews. She gave us the micro brew closest to a Miller Lite for him, and I went with a smoked Gouda with crackers. I tried one of the bitters, it was awesome. A random side note: people that have a cult following to any beer- it can be bitter or taste like armpit but they like their canned beer because it is consistently bitter and armpit flavored. They don't like change, so microbrews are scary. For me, this cafe was refreshing change. For my partner it was culture and strangeness being forced upon him. There is a sterile pub down the street....we visited there next and had a Miller Lite for compromise. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - menu - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Fun find when visiting Normal. Nice variety of wine by the glass and bottle. Great atmosphere and the staff were very helpful but not pretentious. We had wine and a cheese plate (loved the blue and mustard cheddar available the day we were there). Wine choices were varied and responsibly priced for us Seattites visiting . This is definitely not a college hang out which we appreciated in the middle of a huge campus. Parking is definitely a problem in the area and we were disappointed they didn't offer a flight or tasting options. We don't by bottles we don't know without tasting first. We'll be back next time we're in town. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine by the glass - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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If you're looking to enjoy a nice glass of wine at a reasonable price and in a nice setting this is the place to be. Staff is super friendly and attentive. Seating outside or at the bar. Perfect place to meet friends, date or to just hang out. read more

My wife and I where stopping over for the night and found this place. First of all, we love wine bars, or at least I do. The staff, excellent. The atmosphere, excellent. The music, stuff on my play list. Outdoor seating, great....oh and the place does have craft beer for you non-oenophiles. So, get out of the hotel bar and go to Stave, and if you don't know what a stave is, then Google it. They do have food, the charcuterie looks great, didn't have one, again char-cut-ter-ie, look it up. The definition is also on the menu. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine and a bottle of wine. - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

What a pleasant surprise to find a wine bar in a small town in Illinois with this level of wine quality and flavor. The owner was originally a wine broker in the central coast of California and it truly shows. This is definitely top five best wine bars I have ever visited. If your sophisticated palette is not satisfied with the swill served at the Hyatt, this is THE place. I can't wait to return the next time I am in town read more

Extreme rude service over ISU family weekend. From the owner no doubt! Don't see this place being open for very long.

Had a nice afternoon drink and charcuterie. Nice ambiance. Staff is friendly . I would like some cheeses at room temp. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Good local atmosphere in Uptown Normal. Met a coworker for an after work glass of wine and found it very conducive to a good conversation. I didn't have food. read more

My friends and I came here earlier this month, and we haven't stopped talking about it/telling people about it! We called a week ahead with a reservation of 8 people, and updated it to 10 people short notice. The staff was waiting for us when we arrived and they were extremely sweet and accommodating to our big group! They had us keep our jackets and bags at a separate table so we could have more room and we sat at a large booth/table. The selection of wine and charcuterie was unique and wide, and everything was incredible! The staff was attentive and even offered to take a photo of our group for us. We will definitely be coming back. read more

Wine bars like Stave have begun to rival the local hangouts such as coffee shops and local bars. Stave offers a taste before you buy philosophy and they also have a light food menu. Wine bars put a new spin on wine tasting. Stave seeks to remove the association of wine with upscale clientele and overwhelming wine lists, & replaces it with a more casual and relaxing atmosphere. They look to embrace the intellectual stimulation linked to wine and offer an alternative to the bar scene. It is less crowded than traditional bars and has a more intimate appeal. Try it out! read more

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Stave is a delight in a smaller mid-western town like ours. Stave serves great wines and an impressive selection of craft beers. You can even order some great appetizer style plates. I highly recommend the charcuterie. The cheese with mustard seeds in it is addictive. Service is great. The staff has been educated well on their products. The interior is sleek, and woody. I love the smell. They also have a few counters at the front to purchase some select items. Stave is perfect for happy hour, pre-dinner, post-dinner, or just about any time actually :) It's a great social atmosphere and I really enjoy coming here. read more

THE wine bar in uptown. Great place to meet friends if you actually would like to talk to them read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Pinot Noir is over har - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

It was 9:40 pm on Saturday night and I called to see if we could get take out. Beth answered the phone and was so overly pleasant . I was worried it was to close to closing to order and she happily took my order. We drove to Stave to pick up our order and were treated amazing even thou it was 15 minutes till closing time. We have been here several times previously and have always had a great experience! This place is awesome! The staff are all knowledgeable and friendly! Thank you Stave for being great! read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Amazing selection of wine and beer. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Cool atmosphere. Definitely coming back! read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Interior design is authentic and sets the mood. - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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The wines are winners and the staff is knowledgeable, courteous, and kind. A great place to share a bottle, some cheese and charcuterie with friends...a friend, or that special someone. It truly is a place for almost everyone. For beer drinkers, there are a few on tap and a few in bottles/cans. YUM! read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Walking in is so welcoming! - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

If you are going to open a Charcuterie joint, it would behoove you to study good Charcuterie. The prices would suggest a good experience, but the product fails to deliver. The board is what you order. That's it. No honey, fruit, or other items. Bread. Cheese. Meat. Additionally, the meat is cut too think, the cheese is not served at an appropriate temperature, and what am I supposed to do with this loaf of baguette? Suggestion to the owner -- Visit "The Other Corner" in Baltimore and learn how it's done. read more

Love this place. Excellent wine, beer and cheese pairing. Amazing staffs and service. Highly recommended!! read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Drink rating: excellent Appetizer rating: very good Service rating: great Atmosphere: great Price: okay* Will I come back: yes Rating out of 10: 9 *comparable to most similar places but I think they are overpriced too This is a great place to hang out with friends for a few drinks and maybe an appetizer or two. They have a great and always evolving selection of whine and beer. The staff has always been great and all of the appetizers are worth trying. You will spend money here but the price is pretty much standard for this type of place. It is small but the set up great. read more

Excellent wines and lots of craft beers. The manager is a bit of a grump but the staff is friendly. Good ambiance. Snacks are cheeses et al, not really a meal. Construction makes it a hard find. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Zweiglt - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

Absolutely love this wine bar! So cute inside and has a great selection of wind, cheese, & meat. The curbside patio is so pretty in the spring/summer. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Cheese with Truffle. Olives. Rosé. - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Stave has a great selection of wine and some great (usually local!) beers on draft as well. The atmosphere inside is chill and relaxing. It's the perfect spot for catching up with friends, hanging out with coworkers after five, and showing off how cool Uptown Normal is to your parents visiting you at college! The charcuterie and cheese menu has something on there for everyone - and it changes often to keep things fresh. Some wine bars have a tendency to come off a little bit pretentious, but you'll never find that here. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and always helpful. read more

This place is choice. If you don't see it on the menu just ask. I talked to the owner a bit about our honeymoon to Australia & New Zealand and he had lived in Australia and actually had wine from a region we visited. Pretty damn cool. Nibbles are spot on. Great cheese selection, branch out people and pick a cheese you normally wouldn't get. Five stars all the way. Bloomington/Normal has been waiting for a place like this. Perfection. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Deliciousness - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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I went to Stave with a group of friends to celebrate finishing our senior year of college. We all really enjoy wine - often scavenging through Binny's for the cheapest wine with the highest rating - so this was the perfect place to celebrate our achievements. Entering Stave we were impressed with the simplistic modern decor and lighting. At the front of Stave is a modest little storefront where you can purchase wines and other assorted goods, and behind that is the wine bar and additional seating. There were not a lot of people there - it was 1 o'clock on a Tuesday, but I could easily imagine this place hopping on a Friday night. We quickly grabbed a table. The service was prompt and our waiter (the owner?) was knowledgable and friendly. He was able to give us descriptions of each wine being offered, and we found the descriptions to be accurate when we received our drinks. When he found out we were graduating, he gave us each a complimentary half-glass of wine :) We didn't order food since we were not hungry, but when I come again, I will be sure to check it out! Overall, a great experience! read more

Excellent wine list and 4 taps for interesting draft beer with additional beer menu. Charcuterie board and nosh food available.

Great atmosphere, great wine, great people. This little shop is located in Uptown Normal. The front of the shop is full of bottles of wine that can be purchased retail, while the back of the shop is home to some tables and a bar. They offer a good selection of cheeses and meats, and the friendly waitstaff is more than helpful when it comes to picking a beverage and pairing it with some charcuterie. Yes, it can be a bit pricy, but come on, you're going to a wine bar, what do you expect? The owners are nice people, they even allow you to purchase a bottle at retail price and enjoy it in the bar area. Overall, I highly recommend Stave for a quiet night in Uptown. read more

Update to the update. They have now worked out supply issues and I haven't been told, "We're out of that." In months. Love the emphasis on local beer in their tap list, and the consistently excellent wine list. Cozy, not pretentious. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Beautiful and cozy set up for Christmas. - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

First visit and was super impressed! The staff knows their wines and beer. Great recommendations based on your personal preference. You can also try the wine or beer before you order a glass to make sure it is what you want. The meat and cheese menu is very diverse. We only ordered the cheese and loved the two we got. It came with a baguette as well. Overall, a great and relaxing experience. Nice way to wind down the day. read more

Stave Wine Bar & Market - Beautiful inside - so welcoming - Wine Bars Near Me - Normal, Illinois

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Surprisingly low key for how close to campus this is. This place has the most comfortable atmosphere in Uptown. They have a knowledgable staff (the menu isn't too big but not small either). The cheeses are great-sheep cheese was really good. Stave is another uptown gem. Hopefully they are here for a long time. Great for groups or doing work. I could easily see small business meetings here read more

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A great place for adults to meet and talk in uptown normal. It has a great wine list and canned/ bottled beer list. There are 4 taps that have interesting beers. The space is beautiful though not huge and can get loud when it gets busy. The cheese list is awesome with some interesting cheeses. There is also hummus and some sausages. This is not a place for a meal. Just some nibbles. Highly recommended read more

We had a small group come here recently and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The wine and beers that we ordered were excellent. The owner and staff were very knowledgable and it was just a great experience. Our server was very friendly and polite and we could not have had better service. We weren't able to stay very long but we can't wait to come back! The meats and cheeses looked delicious although we didn't try any that evening as we already had dinner plans elsewhere. I'm so glad that this place opened in Uptown Normal - I think it's a perfect addition to the area. :) read more

Love going here in date night! This place give the atmosphere you are looking for in a downtown night. Love it!

Stumbled upon this gem back in March when my mom was visiting me at school. Originally, we had intended on only having a glass or two of wine, but after reading through the list of cheeses and striking up a conversation with our server and the owner, we had to stay. This place is incredible, from the service to the wine. I chose this location for my graduation dinner with my family, and no one felt disappointed. Although I have graduated and left town, I will be returning soon to visit this lovely wine bar (and purchase a couple bottles of wine and cheeses to bring home). read more

First visit to Stave was great, good atmosphere for drinking wine, great selection and staff who seemed invested in what we like, amazing cheeses, can't wait to get back here! read more

Warm, intimate and inviting. Great wine list changes frequently enough to stay interesting. You can also pick up a bottle to go. They could be more creative with their noshes, but hey. Also wish they could spill out to the front walkway in the summer, but that is probably not possible given the town's ordinances. read more

This is a wonderful little place. I have only been there a few times. I live in Chicago, but I have visited a few times. The place is very comfortable and a great wine list. I am a wine bar "snob". This is one of my favorites. read more

Just a quick update now that Stave has been up and running for a year. The concerns I'd had have all been addressed: quasi-monthly rotation of wines, a slightly more even distribution of whites and reds, and a great beer selection. Stave is really what Uptown needed. The owners are knowledgable and train their staff to be likewise. Disproportionately savvy place for the likes of BloNo. read more