Local Pours, Cold Beer, Zero Pretense
Downtown · Spokane · American Pub / Taphouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Onion leads with 51 taps, and that's the point — this is a beer bar that also happens to have wine. The list is short, regional, and uncomplicated, which is exactly what you'd expect from a historic downtown taphouse with gourmet burgers on the menu. No one's coming here for a deep cellar experience, and that's fine.
The list runs 20-40 bottles and leans hard on Washington State, with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest doing most of the heavy lifting. It's the Pacific Northwest's greatest hits playlist — approachable, food-friendly, and reliably drinkable. There's no real exploration here: no Walla Walla producers pushing boundaries, no Rhône blends or unexpected whites from Yakima. What you get is a tight, no-drama selection that works for the room and doesn't embarrass anyone.
Six to ten options by the glass keeps it manageable, and at $14.25 a pour, you're in standard casual-dining territory — not a steal, not a gouge. Don't expect much rotation; this list feels like it gets reviewed annually at best. Grab something Washington white and move on.
Columbia Crest Washington State White — $14.25
Columbia Crest consistently punches above its price point — it's one of Washington's best-value producers, and getting it by the glass in a casual taphouse setting is an honest pour for honest money.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Washington White
In a room full of people ordering IPAs, the Chateau Ste. Michelle white gets overlooked. It's one of the most food-versatile wines in the Northwest and holds its own against the kitchen's richer dishes.
California Red (generic)
When a Washington-focused list dips into California reds without any standout producers named, that's filler. The state makes excellent wine and The Onion's own backyard does it better — stay local.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Washington White + Original French Onion Soup
The savory depth of the French Onion Soup needs something crisp and slightly mineral to cut through the cheese and broth — a Washington white from Ste. Michelle does exactly that without fighting the dish.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Onion isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't try to be — it's a reliable neighborhood taphouse where the beer list is the star and the wine list is a solid understudy. If you're with a group and someone needs a glass of wine while everyone else drinks craft beer, this works just fine.
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Browne Family's Spokane room is a confident single-producer tasting experience done right — fair prices, knowledgeable pours, and a genuine case for why Washington State deserves your attention. Send a friend here if they think Washington wine is just an also-ran.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Fondue / Upscale Casual
The Melting Pot Spokane isn't a wine destination, and it's not trying to be — but the Washington State anchors on this list are genuinely good, and if you stick to those, you'll drink well enough for the occasion. Come for the fondue experience, order the Ste. Michelle, and save the serious wine night for somewhere else.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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1919 won't blow any minds, but for a hotel bar in downtown Spokane it earns genuine respect for keeping Washington State producers front and center. Come for the room, stay for the Beresan — just don't expect any surprises in the pricing.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Hotel Rooftop/Terrace Bar
The Grand Terrace Bar is a great place to drink wine in Spokane — just not necessarily great wine. Come for the skyline, order the Riesling, and save the serious bottle hunting for elsewhere.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Spokane · Spokane · Wine Bar
Barrister is a genuine Wild Card: a serious urban winery tucked into Spokane's rail district that most wine travelers blow past on their way to Walla Walla. If you're in eastern Washington and you haven't stopped here, you owe yourself a visit.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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