Houston's Best Wine Bars and Honorable Mentions

Living in or even visiting Houston, offers wine lovers many excellent opportunities to visit wine bars in the area, some of which rival any other place I have lived or visited. From elegant luxury and fine dining to the weird and wonderful pet friendly wine bars, the best of Houston wine bars offers more than a good bottle of wine.

In the Top Five Wine Bars in Houston, Texas and Top Wine Bars in Houston Max's Wine Dive and So Vino Bistro and Wine Bar are among their choices for the best of wine bars in Houston, and I agree. But when it comes to Houston's Best Wine Bars, no list would be complete without the unique offerings of these five wine bars:

Vintropolis
10001 Westheimer Road
http://www.vintropolisbar.com/
Hours: Mon 2pm -10pm; Tue, Wed 2pm - 12am; Thur and Fri 2pm - 2am; Sat 4pm - 2am Closed Sunday

Weird and wonderful describes Vintropolis where over 200 wines are available as well as a variety of beer selections (even enough to make my beer review critic husband happy). Vintropolis is the place where you can do anything from get married in the courtyard to play darts or relax on the outdoor patio with a bottle of wine and some friends. You can even bring along man's best friend as Vintropolis is pet friendly. There is even free wi-fi - who knows maybe I am tasting Vintropolis as I make my best of list? If you decide you are hungry there is not one menu to choose from but six from neighboring restaurants that will deliver your pizza to General Tso's chicken direct to your table.

Vino 100
11693 Westheimer Road
http://www.vino100.com/
Hours: Mon 3pm-9pm; Tue-Thu 12pm-9pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-10pm; Sun 12pm-6pm

Their name says a great deal about this favorite wine bar in Houston that offers 100 different wines for $25.00 or less. This Pennsylvania based wine bar provides wine lovers the chance to not only taste, sample, linger and enjoy, but like The Tasting Room, the opportunity to purchase your favorite wines in their "store." Space and seating is limited so it's important to get there early to get a table if you have a group. Another fun and easy thing about Vino 100 is that they offer the inexperienced wine drinker mini reviews and descriptions of the wines before you try or buy (they call it the wine barometer).

Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar
1201 Lake Woodlands Drive
Mo to Th from 05:00 PM to 10:00 PM|Fr to Sa from 05:00 PM to 11:00 PM|Su from 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM
http://www.flemingssteakhouse.com/

Wining and dining excellence are available at Flemings Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar. With approximately 100 wines to choose from, appealing appetizers to share, and mouthwatering steaks and prime rib there is sure to be something for everyone. Located in The Woodland's it also gives their neighbors to the south a good excuse to make the short drive there for shopping and a visit or cruise along the Woodland's Waterway or before a concert performance at the The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar
307 Fairview Street
Hours: Tu to Sa from 08:30 AM to 02:00 AM|Su to Mo from 08:30 AM to 12:00 AM
http://www.barboheme.com/

Featured in the Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, Gloss and Envy Magazine for its private events, wine bar and open mic nights as one of Houston's best wine bars Boheme Café and Wine Bar looks like a Soho loft mixed with Spanish and tropical decor. Private tastings and events are available and every night is celebration with drink specials on beer, cocktails, wines and spirits. Join friends in a comfortable corner seating arrangement of couches, chairs and low tables giving you the idea that you are at an intimate wine tasting or drinking party at home. While I love the selection of wines available here, but what may be my favorite is the Mojito and scent of fresh mint we you walk in the door.

The Tasting Room
1101 Uptown Park Boulevard
Hours: Mo to Fr from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM|Sa from 11:00 AM to 01:00 AM|Su from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
http://www.tastingroomwines.com/

Big brother to Max's Wine Dive, The Tasting Room offers a comfortable atmosphere inside and out for wine tastings or lingering over and sharing a bottle with friends, with booths, tables, bar and patio seating. Tastings, private parties and events are available, and be sure to stop by on a live music night for a great first date or just to enjoy the weekend. If you like what you have tasted you can even purchase many of the wines at The Tasting Room Store. Starving? Try pairing your wine with one of their gourmet pizzas or one of their specialties, "Truffle Fries."

Still haven't found what you want in a wine bar? Honorable Mentions for Houston's Best Wine Bars go to:

La Carafe
813 Congress Street
Hours: Mo to Su from 01:00 PM to 02:00 AM
http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~hans320/projects/lacarafe

Amerigo's Italian Grille
25250 Grogan's Park Drive
Hours: Mo to Th from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM|Fr from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM|Sa from 05:00 PM to 11:00 PM|Su from 04:00 PM to 09:00 PM
http://www.amerigos.com/

Damian's Cucina Italiana
3011 Smith Street
Hours: Mo to Th from 11:00 AM to 02:00 PM|Mo to Th from 05:30 PM to 10:00 PM|Fr from 11:00 AM to 02:00 PM|Fr from 05:30 PM to 11:30 PM|Sa from 05:00 PM to 11:30 PM
http://www.damians.com/

Da Marco Cucina E Vino
1520 Westheimer Road
Hours: Tu to Th from 11:30 AM to 02:00 PM|Tu to Th from 05:30 PM to 10:00 PM|Fr from 11:30 AM to 02:00 PM|Fr from 05:30 PM to 11:00 PM|Sa from 05:30 PM to 11:00 PM
http://damarcohouston.com/

Mingalone Italian Bar And Grill
540 Texas Avenue
Hours: Su to Th from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM|Fr to Sa from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM http://www.mingalone.com/

El Meson
2425 University Boulevard
Hours: Mo to Th from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM|Fr from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM|Sa from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM|Su from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
http://www.elmeson.com/

Noe Restaurant & Bar inside the Omni Hotel
4 Riverway
Hours: Mo to Th from 05:30 PM to 10:00 PM|Fr to Sa from 05:30 PM to 11:00 PM
http://www.noerestaurant.com/houston/

Sorrento
415 Westheimer
http://www.sorrentoristoranteofhouston.com/

No matter if you are a red or white wine drinker, prefer Shiraz over Riesling, want a taste or a bottle, or choose to wine and dine the best of Houston wine bars offers it all.