Pretty Room, Murky Wine Program
· Atlantic City · Cocktail Lounge · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · September 26, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Nola's Bar & Lounge’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Nola's looks the part — brass fixtures, emerald accents, live music, and a Boardwalk address that promises more than most Atlantic City bars deliver. But the wine program doesn't get the same attention as the room design. This is a cocktail lounge first, and the wine list feels like it knows that.
What little we can confirm points to a California-France-Italy trifecta that's entirely predictable for a casino-adjacent lounge. That's not automatically bad, but in a space this polished, you'd hope for at least one surprise — a Sicilian white, a Rhône that earns its keep, something with a pulse. Instead, the list appears to lean on safe, recognizable names that move quickly in a late-night crowd. No evidence of depth, rotating selections, or any curatorial effort behind the bottle choices.
By-the-glass specifics aren't publicly documented, which is itself a small red flag — a wine program worth bragging about usually gets bragged about. Expect the standard lounge pours: a Cab, a Chardonnay, maybe a Pinot Grigio, priced for the room rather than the wine.
The Bottom Line
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.
· 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
· Atlantic City · Italian
Café 2825 is a celebration restaurant with a wine list to match — trophy Champagnes, premium California whites, and a few smart Italian picks that reward anyone who looks past the obvious. Prices likely reflect the occasion more than the liquid, but if you're in Atlantic City for a big night, there are worse places to pop a bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Harrah's Atlantic City · Atlantic City · Seafood / Steakhouse
McCormick & Schmick's inside Harrah's is a wine list on autopilot — safe brands, static program, and markups that remind you you're inside a casino. Drink the Port, keep your expectations low, and don't skip the cocktail menu.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Murfreesboro · Cocktail Lounge
The Velvet Room has no business having a wine list this thoughtful for a cocktail lounge in Murfreesboro — and yet here it is. If you're coming for wine specifically, you'll be pleasantly surprised; if you're expecting a deep cellar, adjust those expectations before you walk in.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Waco · Cocktail Lounge
Lounge '93 is not your destination for wine, but if you show up on a Wednesday with a friend and split a bottle of Bollocini, you'll have a better time than you expected. The Wild Card badge is earned — not because the list is deep, but because this place does more with less than almost anywhere else in downtown Waco.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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