Beer Bar That Forgot Wine Exists
Downtown Akron · Akron · American bar & grill specializing in gourmet grilled cheese and casual pub fare · Visit Website ↗
Updated August 2026
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · June 29, 2026
RagingWine reviewed The Lockview’s wine list and gave it The Lazy List — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
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Wingman Metrics
The Lockview is a genuinely fun downtown Akron bar — rooftop patio, craft beer on tap, grilled cheese worth driving for. The wine list, though, reads like an afterthought someone typed up in ten minutes and never revisited. California-leaning, producer-anonymous, and priced like they think you're not paying attention.
Ten to twenty bottles deep, and almost every slot is filled by a nameless varietal — Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and a house red blend called 207 that signals exactly how much creative energy went into this list. The one exception is the Haymaker Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, which at least has a name and an origin story. There's no old-world representation, no natural wine curiosity, no attempt to match the adventurous spirit of the food program. If you came here for wine exploration, you made a wrong turn.
Four to eight pours available, which sounds decent until you realize the options are essentially the same entry-level suspects rotating through the same stems. No rotating feature pours, no seasonal glass program — what's on the list today was probably on the list six months ago. At a bar this lively, the glass program deserves at least as much attention as the tap handles.
Pinot Noir — $34
At an 89% markup it's the least punishing bottle on the list — still not a steal, but relative to everything else here, it's the closest thing to fair. It's entry-level, but Pinot at least has the acidity to hold up to the richer grilled cheese options.
Haymaker Sauvignon Blanc
It's the only bottle on this list with an actual identity. New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc means bright citrus and enough zip to cut through buttery bread and melted cheese — and at least you know what you're getting. Most people at this bar will reach for a beer, which means you might actually get the bartender's attention long enough to order this without a wait.
207 Red Blend
A house red with a 150% markup and zero producer information is a hard pass. Thirty dollars for a $12 bottle of mystery red at a grilled cheese spot is the list's worst value by a wide margin. Order the beer.
Haymaker Sauvignon Blanc + Gourmet Grilled Cheese
The high acidity and grassy brightness of a New Zealand Sauv Blanc does real work against the fat and salt of a melted cheese sandwich — it cuts through where a Chardonnay would just lie there. It's not a profound pairing, but it's the smartest move on this list.
The Bottom Line
The Lockview is a great bar that happens to sell wine, not a wine destination that happens to have good beer. Come for the grilled cheese and the rooftop, order a craft beer, and save your wine curiosity for somewhere that's earned it.
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The Bistro at Gervasi is a wildcard in the best sense — a full estate wine experience dropped into the middle of northeast Ohio, executed with more care than anyone from out of state would guess. Come curious, skip the cynicism, and let the Nebbiolo do its thing.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Bath / Ghent · Akron · Upscale American / Steakhouse
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Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Acceptable
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Ken Stewart's isn't reinventing the steakhouse wine list, but it's executing the classic version with enough depth and care to earn your trust. Show up on a Wednesday, grab the Jordan or Far Niente at half price, and you'll leave happy.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Green / East Akron corridor · Akron · Steakhouse / American
Prime 93 is a perfectly serviceable steakhouse wine list that won't thrill anyone but won't embarrass the table either — fair prices, California-forward, and honest about what it is. Send a friend here for the steak; just don't send them expecting a deep cellar.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Montrose / Fairlawn · Akron · Seafood
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Occasional
Acceptable
East Akron · Akron · Japanese / Hibachi
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
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.
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