Smoke-forward food, afterthought wine list
North Columbus · Columbus · American Barbecue and Grill · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 28, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill – Columbus’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list here is exactly what you'd expect to find tucked behind a laminated menu of pulled pork platters and loaded nachos — a handful of names you recognize from the grocery store checkout aisle. Nobody came to Smokey Bones for the Burgundy selection, and the list makes no pretense otherwise.
We're looking at somewhere between 10 and 20 bottles, all California, all familiar to anyone who's ever grabbed something quick off a shelf at Kroger. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and Barefoot headline the roster, which tells you everything about the ambition level here. There's no regional diversity, no small producers, no attempt to complement the genuinely decent smoked meats with something interesting. This is a wine list that exists because the menu says it has to, not because anyone thought hard about it.
You'll find four to eight pours available by the glass, which sounds reasonable until you realize the pool they're drawing from. Expect the usual Cab, Chardonnay, and Pinot Grigio suspects at prices that feel aggressive given what's in the glass. Rotation is not a word in this program's vocabulary.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon — $25
At the low end of their bottle pricing, this is at least a drinkable, familiar Cab that won't actively ruin your ribs. It's not exciting, but it's the least offensive spend on this list.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon
Hidden gem is a generous term here, but if you're committed to ordering wine, the Woodbridge Cab at least has enough dark fruit and soft tannins to hold up against smoky BBQ without fighting it — more than can be said for the lighter options on this list.
Barefoot Cabernet Sauvignon
Barefoot retails for around $7 at any gas station in Georgia. Whatever they're charging you for it here is too much. Order a beer.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon + Smoked BBQ Ribs
The Woodbridge Cab has just enough body and fruit to stand next to smoky, saucy ribs without getting completely steamrolled. It's not a revelation — it's damage control. But it works better than anything else on this list.
The Bottom Line
Smokey Bones is a perfectly fine place to eat ribs and watch a game — just don't come here for the wine. Order a cold beer, save your wine budget for somewhere that cares.
Uptown · Columbus · Fusion / New American
Vertigo shouldn't have a wine list this interesting — and that's the whole point. If you're anywhere near Columbus, Georgia and care even a little about what's in your glass, this place is worth the detour.
Surprising Depth
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Seafood chain
This is a wine program in name only — three crowd-pleaser labels at chain markups with no soul behind the selection. Order a cocktail or a beer and spend your money somewhere it's appreciated.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · Rooftop American
Eighteen85 is a place to drink wine, not to drink well. Come for the view, order something cold, and set your expectations accordingly — the list won't surprise you, but at least it won't bankrupt you either.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Columbus · New American
For Columbus, Georgia, The Animal Farm's wine list is a genuine Wild Card — small but considered, fairly priced, and stocked with producers most local restaurants haven't heard of. We'd absolutely send a friend here with instructions to start with the Riesling and work their way through the whites.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Columbus · American / Bistro
The Loft is a great time if you're there for the music, the scene, or a solid burger — but the wine list is along for the ride, not leading the charge. Come thirsty for the atmosphere; manage your expectations on the glass.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Midtown Columbus · Columbus · Seafood
Red Lobster 13th St. is not a wine destination — it's a seafood chain where wine exists because a menu has to have one. Order the Riesling with your lobster tail, enjoy the Cheddar Bay Biscuits, and make your peace with it.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
