By Greensboro has quietly become one of the most rewarding places in North Carolina to drink a serious glass of wine. The Gate City pairs unpretentious Southern hospitality with genuinely knowledgeable pourers, so whether you want a Spanish tempranillo with a wedge of imported cheese, a low-intervention orange wine you have never heard of, or a glass of bubbles on a music-filled patio, there is a spot built for it. Here are the best wine bars in Greensboro and the wider Triad, with the practical details locals and visitors actually need.
Rioja! A Wine Bar
If Greensboro has a wine institution, this is it. Rioja opened in 2005 as the city’s first dedicated wine bar, and it still sets the standard. The list runs deep, with more than twenty wines available by the glass and a cellar of over 800 bottles, all poured into proper Riedel stemware in generous six-ounce measures. The kitchen keeps things focused and excellent: a world-class cheese selection, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, cured meats from around the globe, and locally crafted chocolate truffles. Order a flight with a cheese pairing and you have the makings of a long, happy evening.
It works as a retail shop too, so if you fall for something by the glass, you can take a discounted bottle home. The Battleground Avenue location sits just north of downtown, making it an easy stop before or after dinner in the Lindley Park and Westerwood neighborhoods.
- Address: 1603 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27408
- Phone: (336) 412-0011
- Hours: Open daily, typically from 4:00 PM until 11:00 PM (call ahead to confirm)
- Website: riojawinebar.com
Lewis & Elm
Down in Greensboro’s Southend, a short walk from the heart of downtown, Lewis & Elm is the spot for people who care about provenance. The bar curates its wine, cheese, and beer with an eye to style, region, and terroir, and the food leans European: inspired cheese boards, seasonal salads, and small plates that punch well above the casual setting. It is intimate, thoughtful, and an easy place to lose track of an evening.
The Saturday open-to-close schedule makes it a strong daytime option too, whether you want an afternoon glass or a slow early dinner. Ask the staff for a recommendation; they pour with intention and are happy to steer you toward something new.
- Address: 600 South Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27406
- Phone: (336) 763-3435
- Hours: Tuesday 4-9 PM; Wednesday-Thursday 4-10 PM; Friday 4-11 PM; Saturday 12-11 PM; Sunday 3-8 PM
- Website: lewisandelm.com
State Street Wine Company
For a more laid-back, neighborhood feel, head to the walkable State Street corridor. State Street Wine Company is a vibrant, eclectic wine bar that leans into one of Greensboro’s best assets: its live music scene. Most weekends you will find local musicians playing, and there is a patio for when the weather cooperates. The bar does not serve a full food menu, but State Street is lined with restaurants, and you are welcome to bring food in with your glass.
This is the kind of place locals treat as a living room. It is ideal for a casual after-work glass, an easy first date, or a low-key catch-up with friends rather than a formal tasting.
- Address: 404 State St, Greensboro, NC 27405
- Phone: (336) 254-9981
- Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 2-9 PM; Friday 12-11 PM; Saturday 2-11 PM; Sunday 2-7 PM; closed Monday
- More info: Visit Greensboro listing
Tasting Room
For drinkers who like to explore the edges of the wine world, Tasting Room on South Chapman Street is the most adventurous bottle list in town. The focus is on small-production, low-intervention winemaking: unique varietals, natural wines, orange wines, pet-nats, and other bottles you simply will not find on a grocery shelf. It is a neighborhood wine bar and retail shop that welcomes everyone from the curious beginner to the obsessive collector, and the staff genuinely enjoy helping you find something unexpected.
Regulars come for the weekly tastings and the barrel club membership, and the space hosts themed events throughout the month. It is one of the best places in Greensboro to expand your palate without feeling out of your depth.
- Address: 901 South Chapman Street, Greensboro, NC 27403
- Phone: (336) 676-5602 (call or text)
- Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 4-9 PM; Friday 3-9 PM; Saturday 2-8 PM; Sunday 2-7 PM
- Website: tastingroomgso.com
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Over at Friendly Center, Cooper’s Hawk offers a different model entirely: a full-service winery, restaurant, and tasting room under one roof. It is a national operation, but the Greensboro location delivers a polished experience with a working tasting room, a seasonal scratch kitchen, and a popular Wine Club that ships a curated bottle every month. The atmosphere is more upscale-casual restaurant than cozy wine bar, which makes it a reliable pick for groups, celebrations, or anyone who wants dinner and a structured tasting in the same visit.
Because it sits inside the Friendly Center shopping district, it is also one of the easier wine destinations to combine with a day of errands or shopping.
- Address: 701 Friendly Center Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 11 AM-9 PM; Friday 11 AM-10 PM; Saturday 10 AM-10 PM; Sunday 10 AM-9 PM
- Website: chwinery.com
Worth the Short Drive: Vintage Sofa Bar in Winston-Salem
The Triad is compact enough that a great wine night can easily cross city lines. About thirty minutes west in Winston-Salem, Vintage Sofa Bar in the West End is a beloved, eclectic spot with a boutique wine list curated by an in-house sommelier that changes regularly. The vibe is exactly what the name suggests: mismatched vintage furniture, low light, and an unhurried feel that rewards lingering. If you are touring the Triad’s drinking scene, it pairs naturally with Winston-Salem’s downtown arts district.
- Address: 1001 Burke St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone: (336) 905-9008
- Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 3 PM-12 AM; Thursday-Saturday 3 PM-1 AM; Sunday 1 PM-12 AM; closed Monday
- Website: vintagesofabar.com
How to Build a Greensboro Wine Crawl
Greensboro’s wine bars cluster conveniently, which makes a self-guided crawl genuinely walkable in spots. Start in the Southend at Lewis & Elm for cheese and a careful pour, then wander up Elm Street into downtown for dinner. State Street’s wine and music scene works well as a relaxed nightcap, while Battleground Avenue’s Rioja is the move when you want depth and a longer sit-down. If you are chasing the unusual, build the night around Tasting Room and let the staff guide you.
Where to Stay Nearby
If you want to make a weekend of it, downtown Greensboro keeps you within walking distance of several bars and the dining scene. The historic Visit Greensboro site is a useful starting point for planning, and downtown hotels and inns put you steps from Elm Street. Booking a hotel or inn in the central business district lets you walk or grab a short rideshare between stops without worrying about driving after a tasting.
A Few Practical Tips
- Call ahead on hours. Wine bar schedules shift seasonally and around private events. A quick call or text confirms the door is open before you go.
- Many double as shops. Rioja, Lewis & Elm, and Tasting Room all sell bottles to go, often at a discount, so a glass you love can come home with you.
- Plan your ride. Several of these spots are close enough to walk between, and rideshares are easy downtown. Build the route so the driving is done before the drinking starts.