Order a Margarita and Move On
North Columbus · Columbus · American and Tex-Mex chain restaurant · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Chili's Grill & Bar – Columbus’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Chili's Columbus isn't really a wine list — it's a footnote at the bottom of a laminated menu that mostly wants you to order a Presidente Margarita. You get House Red and House White, full stop. This is a bar program built around frozen drinks and domestic beers, and wine is very much an afterthought.
There are no producers, no regions, no vintages — just 'House Red' and 'House White,' which tells you everything you need to know. No Old World curiosity, no domestic craft label, nothing that hints at anyone in corporate giving wine more than thirty seconds of thought. The list doesn't evolve, rotate, or surprise. It exists purely to check the box that says 'yes, we serve wine.'
Happy hour gets you a House Red or House White for around $5, which is honestly the only reason to engage with the wine program at all. Beyond that one moment of accidental value, glass pour options are limited to those two anonymous pours — no rotation, no seasonal additions, no effort.
House Red Wine — $5
At happy hour pricing, a $5 glass of house red is hard to argue with when you're splitting fajitas with friends and just want something in a glass. It's not good wine — but it's cheap, cold, and gets the job done.
House White Wine
If you're eating the lighter fare — think grilled chicken or a salad — the house white is the marginally smarter move than the red. It's nothing special, but it's at least not fighting your food. Most people here default to cocktails and never find out.
House Red Wine
Outside of happy hour, paying full price for an unbranded house red with zero transparency about what's actually in the bottle is a hard pass. At a restaurant with no wine identity whatsoever, you're better off with a Shiner or whatever's on tap.
House Red Wine + Baby Back Ribs
If you're committed to the wine path, the sweet smokiness of Chili's Baby Back Ribs will mask the house red's shortcomings more effectively than anything else on the menu. It's not a pairing worth writing home about, but it's the least bad option available.
The Bottom Line
Chili's Columbus is not a wine destination — it's a margarita destination that happens to stock two anonymous house wines for guests who forgot to order a cocktail. Drink accordingly.
Uptown · Columbus · Fusion / New American
Vertigo shouldn't have a wine list this interesting — and that's the whole point. If you're anywhere near Columbus, Georgia and care even a little about what's in your glass, this place is worth the detour.
Surprising Depth
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Seafood chain
This is a wine program in name only — three crowd-pleaser labels at chain markups with no soul behind the selection. Order a cocktail or a beer and spend your money somewhere it's appreciated.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Rooftop American
Eighteen85 is a place to drink wine, not to drink well. Come for the view, order something cold, and set your expectations accordingly — the list won't surprise you, but at least it won't bankrupt you either.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · New American
For Columbus, Georgia, The Animal Farm's wine list is a genuine Wild Card — small but considered, fairly priced, and stocked with producers most local restaurants haven't heard of. We'd absolutely send a friend here with instructions to start with the Riesling and work their way through the whites.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Columbus · American / Bistro
The Loft is a great time if you're there for the music, the scene, or a solid burger — but the wine list is along for the ride, not leading the charge. Come thirsty for the atmosphere; manage your expectations on the glass.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown Columbus · Columbus · Seafood
Red Lobster 13th St. is not a wine destination — it's a seafood chain where wine exists because a menu has to have one. Order the Riesling with your lobster tail, enjoy the Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and make your peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
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.
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