Wine Wednesday Makes the Marina Worth It
Alamitos Bay · Long Beach · Seafood, Steak, Sushi, and American Coastal · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 23, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Boathouse on the Bay reads exactly like the setting — easy, crowd-friendly, no surprises, but not offensive either. You're here for the bay views and the seafood, and the list knows that. It's not trying to impress you; it's trying not to get in the way.
The list leans heavily into California and Pacific Northwest staples that any casual diner will recognize: Paso Robles producers like Daou and Rabble, a Santa Ynez Syrah from Piazza, and a Russian River Pinot from Belle Glos. It's a domestic-only program that's comfortable and familiar but won't challenge anyone. The geographic range stops at the US border, so if you're hunting for a white Burgundy or a Spanish Albariño to go with those oysters, you're out of luck. Still, the producers are generally solid for what they are — these aren't grocery store mystery bottles, just safe bets.
Several bottles pull double duty as glass pours — the Eroica Riesling, Daou Rosé, Conundrum Red Blend, and Piazza Syrah are all confirmed available by the glass. That's a reasonable spread for a waterfront spot, covering whites, rosé, and reds. No real adventurous glass options here, but Eroica by the glass at a marina restaurant is genuinely a solid move.
Eroica Riesling, Washington — Unknown — confirm on-site
Eroica is a Chateau Ste. Michelle and Dr. Loosen collaboration that reliably punches above its price class. On a seafood-heavy menu with oysters and crab, this off-dry Riesling is the smartest pour on the list — and on Wine Wednesday, it's half price on the bottle. Easy call.
Piazza Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley
Most people at a marina restaurant are grabbing Pinot or Rosé and calling it a night. The Piazza Syrah from Santa Ynez is the quiet overachiever on this list — Santa Ynez Syrah can be genuinely expressive, and it's the kind of pick that makes you look like you know something everyone else doesn't.
Conundrum Red Blend, California
Conundrum is a perfectly fine, widely available red blend — emphasis on widely available. You'll find this at Total Wine and most grocery stores with a decent wine section. At restaurant markup, there's no reason to order it when the Belle Glos Pinot or the Piazza Syrah are right there.
Eroica Riesling, Washington + King Crab Legs
Sweet, briny crab and an off-dry Riesling is one of those combinations that's almost unfair in how well it works. The Eroica's stone fruit and bright acidity cut through the richness of the crab without fighting it. Order this on a Wednesday and you're basically winning dinner.
Wednesday — Wine Wednesday offers 50% off all bottles under $100, all evening long. Happy hour also runs Tuesday–Friday from 4–6 PM, with $6 house wine pours available Wednesdays from 12–6 PM.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Boathouse on the Bay isn't a wine destination, but Wine Wednesday — 50% off bottles under $100 — turns a perfectly decent, crowd-pleasing list into a genuine reason to show up. Come for the views and the crab, grab the Eroica Riesling, and don't overthink it.
Belmont Heights · Long Beach · Modern Latin / New Mexican
Panxa Cocina isn't a wine destination, but it's a Wild Card worth knowing — a kitchen-first list that actually shows some regional personality in a city full of lists that don't try. Send a friend here for dinner and tell them to order the Gruet just to watch the table react.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Shoreline Village · Long Beach · Asian Fusion
PF Chang's wine list exists because restaurants have to have one, not because anyone particularly cared about building it. Grab the Riesling, enjoy your lettuce wraps, and don't expect the wine to be the reason you came.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Belmont Shore · Long Beach · Upscale American
Nick's on 2nd is a dependable neighborhood wine stop — solid list, familiar producers, nothing that'll blow your mind but nothing that'll disappoint a table of mixed drinkers. Send a friend here for a date night, just tell them to order the Duckhorn and leave the Jordan for someone else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown/Pine Avenue · Long Beach · Greek/Mediterranean
George's is a Wild Card because it's doing something most casual Greek spots don't bother with — actually leaning into Greek wine. Monday's half-price promotion makes it worth building a night around.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Belmont Shore · Long Beach · Seafood, American, Elevated Coastal
Roe Seafood's wine list is a crowd-pleaser in a restaurant that deserves something a little wilder, but Wine Wednesday — half-price bottles, no corkage, live jazz — is a genuine reason to show up on a Wednesday instead of a Friday. Come for the lobster roll, stay for the Sauternes.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Naples Island · Long Beach · Italian/Pizzeria
Michael's Pizzeria isn't trying to be a wine destination, and it doesn't need to be — it's a solid neighborhood Italian with a short, honest list priced fairly and pointed squarely at the food. Send your friends here for pizza and a bottle of Montepulciano without hesitation.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.