Gin First, Wine... Somewhere Down the List
Tampa · Tampa · American Bar · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · February 21, 2026
RagingWine reviewed CW's Gin Joint’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
The name tells you everything you need to know. CW's Gin Joint puts spirits front and center, and the wine list feels like an afterthought—functional but uninspired. If you're here for cocktails, you're in the right place; if you're here for wine, lower your expectations.
The list reads like a safety-first playbook: domestic Chardonnay, California Cab, maybe a Pinot Grigio for the table. Nothing ventures beyond the usual suspects you'd find at a corporate happy hour. No surprising producers, no regional deep cuts, no reason to get excited. It's the kind of selection that suggests the wine buyer spent about fifteen minutes on it between ordering bitters and vermouth.
Glass pours lean heavily on recognizable brands—think Josh Cellars, 19 Crimes, maybe a Kim Crawford if you're lucky. Rotation appears nonexistent; these bottles probably sit until they're gone, then get replaced with the same thing. Pours are adequate but nothing you couldn't find at a hotel bar.
Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon — $32
Solid Washington Cab that won't break the bank and pairs decently with bar food
Kung Fu Girl Riesling
Off-dry Washington Riesling that actually works with spicy bar bites if they've got it
Any house Chardonnay over $40
Massive markup on basic bottles you can find for $12 retail
Mark West Pinot Noir + Burger with bacon
Fruit-forward Pinot cuts through the char and fat without overwhelming
❌ The Bottom Line
Come for the gin, stay for the gin, and maybe order a beer. The wine program isn't broken, it's just not trying.
· Tampa · Steakhouse
Bern's is a legend for a reason, and even this sparkling-focused slice of its list shows a house that genuinely cares about what's in the glass. The grower Champagne presence alone makes it worth a visit — just steer clear of the Korbel section and spend a few extra dollars where it counts.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Proper
Tampa · Tampa · American
The Rez Grill isn't trying to be a wine destination, but it's doing the casino steakhouse thing better than it has any obligation to — a real sommelier, a Thursday half-price night, and a list that knows its lane. Come for the ribeye, order the Jordan, and leave before you hit the slots.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
SoHo · Tampa · American, Seasonal
Élevage is the kind of place that does California wine correctly without doing anything unexpected with it — the list is dependable, the setting earns it, and the Wine Spectator nod is deserved. Send a friend here if they love Napa Cab and a good steak; redirect the wine geeks to somewhere with more range.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Shore · Tampa · American, Steakhouse
Union delivers a reliable, California-heavy wine list that makes sense for a buzzy Tampa steakhouse with rooftop ambitions — just don't come looking for surprises. Send a client here; take a wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Tampa · Tampa · Seafood, Floridian
Ulele is a great restaurant that happens to have a competent wine list — not a wine destination that happens to serve great food. If you're in town for the waterfront, the smoked mullet dip, and a solid glass of California Chardonnay, you'll leave happy; just don't expect the list to keep up with the ambition of the kitchen. Wednesday's half-price wine night is genuinely worth planning around.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
Water Street · Tampa · American, French
Boulon is a reliable wine stop in Tampa's growing Water Street corridor — the list is curated enough to respect, even if it rarely surprises. Send a friend here knowing they'll drink well; just don't send the friend who's hoping to find something they've never heard of.
Solid Range
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.