Beer Bar That Forgot Wine Exists
Downtown · Scranton · Gastropub
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · July 14, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Backyard Ale House’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Take Vibe Match and we’ll tell you what to order here.
Wingman Metrics
Backyard Ale House is, at its core, a beer bar — and the wine list makes no effort to pretend otherwise. What you get is a short roster of grocery store staples priced like they're doing you a favor. This is a place where the taps are the star and wine is an afterthought for whoever in the group doesn't drink beer.
The list reads like someone grabbed whatever was on sale at the local wholesale club and slapped a 2-3x markup on it. Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay, Meiomi Pinot Noir, Apothic Red, Barefoot Pinot Grigio — we've seen this exact lineup at airport bars and chain restaurants across America. There's no regional focus, no small producer, no attempt at curation. The closest thing to a conversation starter here is whether you want your mass-market red or your mass-market white.
We're working from a list that appears to be entirely by-the-glass pours, which tracks for a casual bar environment. The selection doesn't rotate — these bottles have been on the menu long enough to collect dust. If you need wine, you have options; if you want wine, look elsewhere.
Meiomi Pinot Noir — $30
It's the least offensive markup on the list at 50% over retail — still not great, but in this lineup it's the closest thing to a fair shake. At least Meiomi is a recognizable, drinkable bottle.
Meiomi Pinot Noir
In a list this thin, 'hidden gem' is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Meiomi is at least a step above the Barefoot tier and the markup is the most reasonable here — so if you're stuck, this is your move.
Barefoot Pinot Grigio
A $7 retail bottle marked up to $22 is a 214% premium for one of the least interesting wines on the market. You can buy four bottles at the grocery store for what they're charging here. Hard pass.
Meiomi Pinot Noir + Burger
Backyard Ale House is a gastropub and burgers are the safe bet. Meiomi's soft, fruit-forward profile won't clash with anything coming off the kitchen — it's inoffensive enough to work, which is about the highest praise we can offer this list.
The Bottom Line
Backyard Ale House is a solid beer destination that treats wine like a legal obligation rather than an opportunity. Order a craft beer, enjoy the bar scene, and save the wine for somewhere that actually cares.
Downtown fringe · Scranton · Brewery/Taproom with Pizza and Pub Fare
Mutant Brewing isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't pretend to be — but the all-Pennsylvania lineup from Maiolatesi is a genuinely thoughtful move for a taproom in Scranton. Come for the beer and the pizza, stay curious about the Sparkling Traminette.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Scranton Area · Scranton · Farm-to-Table / Wine Bar
Harvest isn't a destination wine list, but Wine Wednesday — 50% off every bottle — turns a steep-markup, crowd-pleaser program into a genuinely good deal worth planning around. Come hungry on a Wednesday and order the Rombauer without guilt.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Scranton Area · Scranton · Italian / Brewpub
Marzoni's is a brewpub that's very good at being a brewpub — order a house beer and enjoy the pizza. The wine list exists to serve guests who won't drink beer, not to give anyone a reason to seek it out.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Scranton · Italian-American Pizzeria and Restaurant
Alfredo's isn't a wine destination, but it's a pizza place with a functional, fairly priced list and one of the better midweek wine promotions we've seen in northeastern Pennsylvania. Show up on a Wednesday, order the Bonanza Cab at half price, and get a large pie — there are worse ways to spend a weeknight.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Scranton · New American
POSH isn't a destination wine list — it's a safe, slightly overpriced selection that leans on brand recognition over discovery. Come on a Wednesday, grab the Colombo rosé at half price, and you'll leave happy; show up any other night and you're paying full markup for wines you could find at the corner store.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown · Scranton · Italian
Sambucca is a perfectly decent Italian restaurant where wine is clearly an afterthought — steep markups on recognizable grocery store labels, no specials, no depth. Order the pasta, maybe a glass of something bubbly to start, and don't look at the wine list too hard.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Glendale · Gastropub
Bar Louie is a perfectly fine place to drink a beer or a cocktail, but the wine list is an afterthought dressed up in column formatting. If wine is why you're going out, go somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Wichita · Gastropub
Sheet's Creek is a reliable pour in a landlocked city — nothing here will surprise a seasoned wine drinker, but it won't embarrass you either. Send your friends if they like California reds and don't want to think too hard about it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Union Street · Traverse City · Gastropub
7 Monks is a beer bar first and a wine program somewhere around fourth, but the short list is priced fairly, includes a local Michigan pour worth ordering, and doesn't try to be something it's not. Send a wine-drinking friend here if they're cool with keeping it simple.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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