When the Wine List is an Afterthought
Nashville · American Bar & Grill
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · March 2, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Ellington's Mid Way Bar & Grill’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 Ellington's reads like a convenience store cooler got ambitious. It's the kind of lineup where you know exactly what you're getting before you even open the menu—and not in a good way.
We're looking at the usual suspects: mass-market California Chardonnay, basic Pinot Grigio, maybe a Malbec if you're lucky. No regional diversity, no interesting producers, nothing that suggests anyone put thought into this beyond calling the Sysco rep. The list feels like it was assembled in 2008 and hasn't been touched since. If you're hoping for anything beyond Barefoot and Josh Cellars territory, you're in the wrong place.
The by-the-glass program is functionally nonexistent in any meaningful way. You'll find the standard quartet: a white that's aggressively neutral, a red that tastes like oak chips, maybe a Prosecco that's seen better days. No rotation, no seasonal adjustments, no one caring enough to open something interesting.
Stella Rosa Rosso — $28
It's sweet, it's approachable, and at least you know what you're getting—though you're still overpaying by about $15
House Merlot
Not because it's good, but because it's likely the least marked-up thing on the list and pairs fine with a burger
Any California Chardonnay over $35
You're paying restaurant markup on bottom-shelf juice—buy a cocktail instead
Budweiser + Classic Burger
Honestly, stick to beer here—it's what this place does well, and the wine program isn't going to enhance your meal
The Bottom Line
Ellington's is a bar that happens to have wine, not a place that cares about it. Order the draft beer, enjoy the grill menu, and save your wine budget for literally anywhere else.
Nashville · Nashville · Steakhouse
STK Nashville is a nightclub that serves steaks and has a wine list to match the energy — loud, familiar, and not particularly interested in your education. Come for the scene, order the bottle that sounds good to you, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Nashville · American Grille
Del Frisco's Grille Nashville is coasting hard on brand recognition with a wine list that a decent gastropub would be embarrassed by. Swing by for happy hour, grab a $10 pour, and don't expect anyone to help you think about what you're drinking.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Nashville · Nashville · American, French
Gannons is a reliable, well-curated wine destination dressed in hotel restaurant clothing — the sommelier team knows the list, the glass pour selection is strong, and the Italian and French highlights give it more personality than the Napa-heavy surface suggests. The markups lean steep, but the execution earns its Wine Spectator badge. We'd send a friend here.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Nashville · Nashville · Southern American, Steakhouse
Deacon's won't expand your wine horizons, but if California Cabernet with your steak is the plan — and in Nashville, it often is — Andrew Lizardo's program delivers with confidence. The Wine Spectator Award of Excellence is earned, even if the list plays it safe.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West End · Nashville · Seafood
Halls Catch is the right call for a Nashville seafood dinner when you want a wine list that won't embarrass you — just don't come looking for adventure outside the California zip codes. Send a friend here if they love Napa and know what they're ordering; send them somewhere else if they want to explore.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Green Hills · Nashville · Seafood, Steakhouse
Char is a dependable, well-executed steakhouse wine list that's built for crowd-pleasing, not adventuring — if California Cabernet is your comfort zone, you'll be happy here. Send a friend who wants a reliable pour with a prime cut; don't send the friend who just got back from a natural wine bar in Copenhagen.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Ashland · American Bar & Grill
Louie's of Ashland is doing what a neighborhood bar-and-grill should — keeping the list approachable, nodding to local producers like Abacela and Del Rio, and not gouging anyone in the process. It's not a destination for wine, but it's a comfortable place to drink something decent while you eat. If you're in Ashland and not chasing a serious cellar, you won't leave disappointed.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Topeka · American Bar & Grill
Blue Moose isn't here for wine, and wine isn't here for Blue Moose. Order a local draft and call it a day — but if you absolutely need a glass, reach for the La Vieille Ferme Rosé and manage your expectations accordingly.
Grocery Store
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
West Main · Bozeman · American Bar & Grill
Bay Bar & Grille isn't a wine destination — it's a neighborhood spot where the wine list quietly does its job better than expected. If you're in Bozeman and need a reliably solid glass with your burger or steak, you won't leave disappointed.
Crowd Pleasers
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.
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