Pretty Views, Predictable Pours
· Columbus · Rooftop American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · August 31, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Eighteen85 Rooftop Bar & Kitchen’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Eighteen85 is exactly what you'd expect from a hotel rooftop bar in Columbus, Georgia — eleven labels, all of them recognizable from the grocery store aisle, none of them requiring any explanation from the server. It's a safe, unchallenging list built for people who want a glass of something familiar while watching the sunset. Points for keeping prices reasonable; points lost for not trying at all.
Eleven bottles, eleven by-the-glass options — they've essentially handed you the whole cellar and said 'pick one.' The selections skew heavily toward reliable supermarket standbys: Frontera Pinot Grigio, Louis Martini Cab, Sterling Merlot. There's a token nod to something slightly more interesting with the Chamisal Chardonnay and Lyric by Etude Pinot Noir, but neither of those is going to make a wine drinker stop scrolling Instagram. No regional producers, no old-world depth, and zero evidence that anyone curated this list beyond a distributor rep's standard pitch deck.
Every single bottle on the list is available by the glass, which sounds generous until you realize there are only eleven of them. Pours run $11–$14, which is about as reasonable as you're going to find in a hotel rooftop setting. Don't expect the list to rotate — this reads like a laminated card that hasn't changed since the place opened.
Chamisal Chardonnay — $42
Chamisal is a solid Edna Valley producer that punches above what this list would suggest. At $42 a bottle — the same price as the Frontera Pinot Grigio — it's the obvious upgrade for anyone who wants actual Chardonnay character without paying more for it.
Lyric by Etude Pinot Noir
Etude is a legitimate Carneros producer, and Lyric is their approachable tier done right. Most people ordering wine at a rooftop bar will reach for the Cab or Malbec, which means this bottle gets overlooked. It shouldn't.
Banfi Centine Red Blend
At $54, this is the most expensive bottle on the list and it's a high-volume Tuscan blend that retails for under $15. The markup isn't outrageous in absolute terms, but there's no reason to spend the most money on the least interesting bottle here.
Catena Malbec + Rooftop burger or grilled entrée
Catena is one of the best names in Argentine Malbec and it holds up against anything charred or meaty. Without confirmed menu dishes, this is the most logical match on a rooftop American kitchen menu — the fruit and structure can carry whatever they're putting on the grill.
The Bottom Line
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.
· 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
Riverwalk / Downtown Columbus · Columbus · American
Denim & Oak isn't going to make anyone's wine pilgrimage list, but for Columbus, Georgia, it's a legitimately decent place to drink — fair prices, a deep BTG program, and Wine Down Wednesday as a reason to come back. Just steer clear of the Concha y Toro and head straight for the Orin Swift or the Oregon section.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
North Columbus · Columbus · American Barbecue and Grill
Smokey Bones is a perfectly fine place to eat ribs and watch a game — just don't come here for the wine. Order a cold beer, save your wine budget for somewhere that cares.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
MIA
Set & Forget
Acceptable
North Columbus / Whittlesey Boulevard · Columbus · Modern American
Ivory & Oak is a reliable wine stop in a city that isn't exactly crawling with serious lists — the room is great, the pours are familiar, and the markup is the main thing holding it back from something better. Go for the steak, order the Merlot, and don't expect to be challenged.
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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