River North Bistro
Happy Hour Pricing, Happy Hour List
River North · Chicago · American · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed March 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list reads like someone ordered from the back page of a liquor store catalog and called it a day. Glass pours start at $8 during happy hour, which would be exciting if the selection wasn't so aggressively basic.
Selection Deep Dive
This is a list built for people who think Pinot Grigio is a varietal and Malbec is a region. We're talking Seaglass, Elouan, Waterbrook — brands you grab at Whole Foods when you're in a hurry. The sparkling selection tries harder with Gruet and Opera, but even those are table stakes. No depth, no regional exploration, no interesting producers. Just the greatest hits from Central Casting.
By the Glass
The happy hour pricing ($8 per glass) is aggressive enough to make the mediocre selection almost forgivable. Opera Brut at $8 is an actual steal. Outside happy hour, these same pours climb to prices that make zero sense for wines this pedestrian. Rotation seems nonexistent — this is a set-it-and-forget-it operation.
Opera Brut NV — $8
Happy hour only, but at this price it's the only thing on the list worth celebrating
Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV
New Mexico sparkler that punches above its weight — creamy, fruity, and actually interesting for $15
Elouan Rosé
At $8 it's a 60% markup on a wine that retails for $20 — the math doesn't math
Gruet Blanc de Noirs NV + Truffle & Wild Mushrooms Scramble
Earthy scramble needs bubbles with body — the Blanc de Noirs has enough richness to handle truffle without getting buried
❌ The Bottom Line
Hit it during happy hour for cheap bubbles and solid pricing, but don't expect any wine discoveries. This list exists to avoid complaints, not create conversations.
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