Vines Wine Bar & Spirits Shop — Restaurant in Louisville

The main attraction here is that there isn't 80,000 choices for wine. I get lost in the bigger stores. The folks running this store cherry-pick only solid, tasty wines. This can be a real time-saver. Notably, the employee's know their stuff; not just some hourly worker there to collect a paycheck.

The above was true at the old and new locations, but the NEW location has kicked it up a notch. They now have an intimate side-room that can be used for private gatherings and/or tastings. On many nights they now sell wine by the glass as well as a signature drink. The drink they had when I was there involved bourbon and mandarin oranges - it looked awesome - but it was a 'school night' so I stuck with a nice Americano Petit Syrah. Butter!

I like 'keeping it local' and they also carry selected liquors. As always, it's pet friendly with a variety of dog paraphernalia (beds, bowls, etc.). I look forward to becoming more of a regular as they moved much closer my home (behind the iconic Twig & Leaf). Cheers!

• New ownership MAR 2017, Now just "Vines" but dogs...

Welcome to this unexpectedly quaint Lousiville Highlands wine bar and shop. Proprietor Rob is a cool dude, if a little distant. Interesting wine selections, mainly decently priced reds, and a wide array of spirits and cocktails. Easier to navigate than Total Wine, Liquor Barn, etc. But be careful---wine by the glass is trickier...comfy spaces to sit and sip, but limited pouring selections, and only off-the-rack food (chips and nuts). Also, quite honestly, it's overpriced: $12 per glass for a reasonable (not generous) pour of chard selling for $14.99 per bottle off the shelf (no lie!) My assessment is that this is more a place to bring your known familiars than to meet new friends. Maybe I'm being harsh. Try it out. Tell us what...

Wine shop meets intimate lounge. Knowledgeable manager with exceptional hospitality. This is great for a weekly happy hour, a girls' night out, intimate group party. They also serve a handful of seasonal, craft cocktails for the non-wine lovers. They currently have a modernized Old Fashion that is absolutely delightful. Best of all, the experienced staff can make great recommendations based on your taste and preferences. Ask for something new or unusual.

The only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because I wish they had a few standard snacks on their menu such as cheese and charcuterie. Keep in mind, you can have food delivered from one of the many tasty restaurants nearby, and the staff can suggest pairings for whatever...