Bubbles-only speakeasy that actually delivers
Clarendon · Arlington · Champagne Bar & Small Plates · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 27, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The moment you duck into Ms. Peacock's, you understand the assignment: this is a champagne bar, full stop. No token red or white to appease the skeptics, no sneaky IPA on draft — just bubbles, a moody speakeasy room, and small plates designed to complement them. It's a committed, occasionally charming bit of concept dining that Clarendon didn't know it needed.
The list runs about 30-40 sparkling wines and leans into the smart reality that champagne has affordable cousins worth knowing. You'll find Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut, Domaines Paul Mas Cote Mas Crémant de Limoux Rosé, Poema Cava Brut Reserva, and Benvolio Prosecco sitting alongside the expected Champagne AOC entries — a sensible tour of the sparkling world without pretending everyone wants to drop $90 on a bottle. The inclusion of Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui is a genuine left-field move that deserves credit. The gap is obvious, though: if you want a serious grower Champagne or anything from England or Franciacorta, you're out of luck.
Somewhere in the range of 10-15 pours by the glass lands between $9 and $14, which is genuinely accessible for a concept bar in this zip code. The glass program spans Prosecco, Crémant, Cava, and rosé sparklers, giving casual drinkers a real chance to hop between styles without committing to a bottle. Rotation appears limited — this reads like a set list rather than a program that swaps in seasonal finds.
Poema Cava Brut Reserva — $9–$14/glass
Spanish Cava made from Macabeo and Xarel-lo at glass-pour prices is hard to beat. Toasty, dry, and genuinely food-friendly — it punches well above what you'd expect for a single-digit pour.
Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui
Most people clock this as a dessert afterthought and move on. Don't. This lightly sweet, low-alcohol Piedmontese sparkler is vivid and strawberry-forward in a way that stops the table mid-conversation. Nothing else on this list drinks quite like it.
Trinity Oaks Chardonnay
A $7 retail bottle priced at $30 on the menu is a 328% markup on a wine that would be unremarkable at any price. This is filler on a list that otherwise leans into its sparkling identity — stick to the bubbles.
Lucien Albrecht Crémant d'Alsace Brut + Charcuterie and Cheese Board
Alsatian Crémant has the structure and dry biscuity character to cut through fatty cured meats and hold its own against assertive aged cheeses. It's the workhorse pairing this board deserves.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Ms. Peacock's earns its Wild Card badge by committing hard to a single-category concept and mostly pulling it off — the Crémant and Cava selections alone justify a visit. Just stay away from the still wine list, which exists only to remind you that the bubbles are the point.
Clarendon · Arlington · Italian
Carbonara isn't a destination wine list, but it's a genuinely decent Italian program in a neighborhood that could easily get away with less effort. Come on a Wednesday, order the bottle, and stop overthinking it.
Small but Thoughtful
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
Ballston · Arlington · Contemporary American small plates with global influences
WHINO isn't a wine destination, but it's not pretending to be one either — the pricing is fair, the vibe is great, and if you find the Taylor Fladgate or order the Malbec, you'll leave happy. Send a friend here for a fun night out, not a deep dive into the cellar.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Clarendon · Arlington · Cafe, Bakery & Wine Bar
Northside Social is what happens when a great neighborhood cafe decides to actually care about wine — the list is small, priced right, and surprisingly well-traveled for a spot where half the room is on laptops. Send a friend here on a weeknight when they want something better than bar wine without making a whole production of it.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Courthouse · Arlington · Wine bar with contemporary American and European-influenced small plates
Verre is the rare neighborhood wine bar where someone clearly gave a damn about the list — small-production focus, fair pricing, and staff that can actually guide you. If you're in Arlington and serious about what's in your glass, this is your spot.
Deep & Eclectic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Proper
Arlington · Arlington · Spanish
SER is punching above its weight class for a casual Arlington tavern, and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence it's held since 2022 is earned. If you love Spain and want a serious Spanish list without a white-tablecloth price tag, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Arlington · Arlington · Steak House
Morton's Arlington is a reliable wine destination if you love California Cab and don't mind paying steakhouse prices for the privilege — it earns its Wine Spectator Award of Excellence by doing one thing very well and not straying from it. Send your Napa-obsessed friend here without hesitation; send your natural wine-curious friend somewhere else.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
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