Cheeseburger in Paradise, Cheap Wine in Purgatory
Boardwalk (Resorts) · Atlantic City · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 21, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Margaritaville’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
You open the wine list at Margaritaville and it reads like the wine aisle at a mid-sized Walgreens — familiar labels, zero ambition, priced to move. Nobody came here for the wine, and the list knows it.
Eleven wines, every single one available by the glass and bottle, which tells you everything: this list was built for convenience, not curiosity. The lineup runs Barefoot Moscato, Apothic Red Blend, Prophecy Pinot Noir — brands engineered for mass recognition, not quality. There's a token nod to the wider world with the Alamos Malbec from Argentina and Starborough Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough, but they're outnumbered four-to-one by California commercial labels. No Burgundy, no Rioja, no Champagne — just a parade of supermarket staples dressed up with boardwalk prices.
All eleven wines are available by the glass, which sounds generous until you realize the entire list is eleven wines. Pours run $6.75 to $10.25, which is honestly not offensive for Atlantic City boardwalk territory. Rotation appears nonexistent — this list is set and forgotten, same as the Jimmy Buffett soundtrack.
Alamos Malbec — $10.25
Alamos is a reliable, fruit-forward Malbec from Mendoza that regularly retails around $10-12 — on a list this shallow, it's the one pour that actually tastes like it comes from somewhere with intention.
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is almost offensively easy to drink — bright, grassy, and acidic enough to cut through fried food. On a list this flat, it's the closest thing to a personality.
Barefoot Moscato
At $7 a glass you're paying restaurant markup on a wine that costs less than a gas station energy drink. Sweet, simple, and available literally everywhere — there's no reason to order this here.
Starborough Sauvignon Blanc + Fish Tacos
The bright citrus and grassy snap of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc cuts right through battered fish and any creamy slaw — it's the one combination on this list that actually makes sense together.
The Bottom Line
Margaritaville's wine list is a placeholder, not a program — grab a frozen drink and call it a day. If you're dead set on wine, the Alamos Malbec won't embarrass you.
· Atlantic City · New American / Winery Restaurant
Renault is a one-producer list, and you have to go in knowing that — but within that constraint, the variety is genuinely solid and the pricing is honest. If you're curious about what South Jersey wine looks like when someone takes it seriously, this is the right place to find out.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
· Atlantic City · Cocktail Lounge
Nola's is a genuinely fun place to spend a late night on the Atlantic City Boardwalk — the atmosphere earns its stripes. But if wine is why you're sitting down, you're in the wrong seat. Order a cocktail, enjoy the music, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere that's thought harder about the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlantic City · New American / Wine Bar
The Iron Room is the kind of wine-forward bar Atlantic City doesn't know it needs — cozy, staffed by people who care, and refreshingly serious about what's in the glass. If you're in AC and want something other than $14 Pinot Grigio at a casino bar, this is your move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Acceptable
Golden Nugget Casino · Atlantic City · Steakhouse
Vic & Anthony's is a competent casino steakhouse wine list — it won't embarrass you and it won't thrill you. If you're already there for the steak, grab the Siduri by the glass and don't look too hard at the markups.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Margate City · Atlantic City · Seafood / New American
Steve & Cookie's isn't a wine destination, but it's a solid spot to drink reasonably well alongside excellent seafood and a live jazz soundtrack. If you're going Monday through Thursday, get there early and hit the bar before your table.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Atlantic City · Atlantic City · Mediterranean / Italian
Sofia isn't a wine destination, but it's a better-than-expected list for the Shore — especially if you lean into the Greek selections that nobody else around here is bothering with. The markups on the California staples will sting, so go Greek and drink smarter.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Worcester · American
The Boynton is a great neighborhood spot for a cold beer, a burger, and a game — and that's exactly what it should be. The wine program is along for the ride, not driving the car. If wine matters to you tonight, this isn't your destination; if you're here for the food and the vibe, order a beer and enjoy it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Atlanta · Atlanta · American
Hard Rock Cafe Atlanta's wine list is a Lazy List by every measure — grocery store brands, steep markups, no specials, and a rotating staff with little incentive to know what's in the glass. If you're here for the memorabilia and the atmosphere, lean into a cocktail or a beer. If wine is non-negotiable, the Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling or Columbia Crest Cab will get you through the night without regret.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Cumming, GA · American
The real headline here is Friday: half-price bottles under $250, which is a legitimately good deal in any zip code. Add a sommelier in a neighborhood grill context and Tin Cup earns a look that most Cumming restaurants don't. We'd go in on a Friday, ask for a recommendation, and let the staff do their job — that's what they're there for.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Active Program
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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