Cozy Bellingham spot, wine list holds its own
· Bellingham · Wine Bar / American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 4, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Fireside Martini and Wine Bar’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
Eighteen labels isn't a lot, but Fireside isn't trying to be a wine encyclopedia — it's a neighborhood wine bar with a fireplace and a point of view. The list reads like someone actually thought about it: you've got your crowd-pleasing Cab Sauv and Pinot Noir, but also Viognier, Cab Franc, and Sangiovese sitting right next to them. That's a better spread than most places twice the size.
The list leans into Pacific Northwest sensibilities — GSM, Connor Lee Chardonnay, and Bacchus Chardonnay suggest some regional producer love, which we always respect. Named wines like Dionysus and Bona Dea hint at small or boutique producers rather than grocery-store staples. There's also real range in style: a Dry Riesling and a standard Riesling both make the cut, and a Port closing out the list shows someone thought about the full arc of a meal. The only gap is depth — 18 bottles means you're not lingering over a flight of single-vineyard Syrahs.
Glass pour details aren't spelled out in the list we reviewed, so we can't confirm exactly what's pouring by the stem at any given moment. Given the 18-label total, we'd expect a reasonable rotation of 6-8 pours — hopefully pulling from across the list rather than defaulting to the obvious reds. Worth asking your server what's open.
The Bottom Line
Fireside punches above its weight for a short list — thoughtful producers, real variety, and a vibe that matches the wine. We'd send a friend here without hesitation for a low-key wine night in Bellingham.
· Bellingham · Wine Bar
Bin 13 is punching above its weight for Bellingham — a thoughtful short list with fair pricing on the everyday tier and a couple of trophy bottles for the occasion drinker. The gap in the mid-range is the one thing holding it back from being truly great.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Bellingham · Italian Wine Bar
Bar Cicotti proves you don't need a 200-bottle list to have a great wine program — you just need to care about what you're pouring. For Bellingham, this is the kind of place worth going out of your way for.
Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Bellingham · Nautical-themed American contemporary / comfort food
The Admiralty Lounge isn't a wine destination, but it's doing more with a short list than most bars in its class — half-price bottles at happy hour and actual Sherry on the menu are the kind of moves that earn goodwill. Come for the cocktails, stay for the Fino.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Downtown Waterfront · Bellingham · Seafood / Oyster Bar
Roe isn't a wine destination, but it's not trying to be — the list is fair, the pricing is reasonable, and if you know to order the Riesling, you're eating and drinking well on the water. Send a friend here for oysters; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Lummi Island (regional destination) · Bellingham · Fine Dining / Farm-to-Table
The Willows Inn is as serious about wine as it is about the 14 ingredients it sourced from within a mile of your table. You're paying destination prices across the board, but the list delivers at that level — this is a once-in-a-while splurge that earns it.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown · Bellingham · Brewpub / American pub fare
Aslan Depot shouldn't have a wine list this good, and yet here we are. If you're in Bellingham and want natural wines in a no-fuss setting, this is the move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Historic Strand · Galveston · Wine Bar / American
Hendley Wine Co. is a legitimate surprise for Galveston — a thoughtful, fairly priced wine bar that punches above its tourist-strip weight class. Send your friends here, especially if they need a reason to slow down between beach and dinner.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Alpharetta · Atlanta · Wine Bar / American
CRÚ is what happens when a restaurant builds its entire identity around wine and actually delivers. Forty-plus by-the-glass options, themed flights, Champagne Thursday, and Pizza Monday — this is a wine bar that wants you to come back every week. Mission accomplished.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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