Cocktail bar wine list that earns its keep
Center Square · Albany · Cocktail Bar
Reviewed April 18, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Walk into The Roosevelt and it's clear cocktails are the main event — but whoever put this wine list together wasn't just phoning it in. It's tight at 20-something bottles, but the selections span New Zealand, Burgundy, Italy, and California without feeling random or lazy.
For a cocktail bar in Center Square, this list punches above its weight class. You've got Grove Mill repping New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Joseph Drouhin anchoring the French side with Burgundy credibility, and L'Umami bringing some personality to the Pinot Noir slot. Santa Marina handles the Italian Pinot Grigio duties competently, and The Kinker rounds out California Cab territory. It's not a deep cellar, but each pick feels intentional rather than pulled from a distributor's default catalog.
Five by-the-glass options at $10–$14 is a reasonable spread for a neighborhood bar, and the price ceiling is refreshingly sane by Albany standards. The range covers the obvious bases — white, red, and presumably a rosé or two — though rotation doesn't appear to be a priority here.
Grove Mill Sauvignon Blanc — $12
Grove Mill is a legit Marlborough producer that often gets lost in the sea of Cloudy Bay hype. At bar prices, this is the kind of crisp, no-nonsense pour that makes a Tuesday night feel justified.
L'Umami Pinot Noir
Most people at a cocktail bar default to Cab or skip wine entirely — which means L'Umami's Pinot Noir sits quietly on the list waiting for someone to notice. It's an interesting label worth asking about.
The Kinker Cabernet Sauvignon
California Cab at a cocktail bar is usually the path of least resistance for the list builder, not the drinker. Without more context on this producer, it's the safe play that rarely rewards — order the cocktail instead.
Joseph Drouhin Chardonnay + Bar snacks or charcuterie
Drouhin's Burgundy Chardonnay has enough structure and restraint to hold up against salty, fatty bar fare without turning the whole thing into a butter bomb. It's the grown-up move at a place that otherwise wants you drinking rye.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Roosevelt isn't trying to be a wine bar, and it's better for knowing that. The list is short, fair, and stocked with names worth ordering — which is more than most cocktail spots in Albany can claim.
Downtown/Clinton Square · Albany · Modern Mexican / Latin-inspired
Ama Cocina isn't a destination wine bar, but it's a Wild Card worth respecting — a food-forward Latin spot that actually thought about its wine list instead of phoning it in. Come for the tacos, order the Albariño, and be pleasantly surprised.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Warehouse District/Riverfront · Albany · Wine Bar / American Small Plates
The Shaker & Vine is Albany's best argument for the self-pour wine bar format — the markup is shockingly fair, the riverside setting earns its keep, and the list is approachable without being embarrassing. Don't come hunting for rare producers, but do come for a relaxed pour with a view.
Solid Range
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Colonie · Albany · Classic Italian-American
Lombardo's wine list is the culinary equivalent of a comfortable booth — nothing revelatory, but nothing offensive, and it gets the job done alongside a plate of baked ziti. Send a friend here for the food and tell them to order the Barolo if they want to feel like they tried.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Steakhouse / Lounge
677 Prime Lounge is the wine list equivalent of a perfectly cooked strip steak — nothing surprising, nothing wrong, everything exactly where you expect it to be. If you're in Albany and someone else is buying, order the Silver Oak and enjoy the room; if you're watching your tab, lean on Jordan and don't let them upsell you to Caymus.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Traditional Greek and Mediterranean
Athos isn't trying to build the most ambitious wine program in New York State — it's trying to give you an honest Greek wine experience to go with honest Greek food, and it largely delivers. If you're eating moussaka and lamb in Albany, this is where your glass should be.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Albany · Albany · Modern American fine dining with Indonesian accents
Yono's is the best wine program in Albany and it's not particularly close — a thousand-label cellar, a sommelier who knows it, and a room built for the occasion. The markups are real and the by-the-glass list plays it safer than the cellar deserves, but if you're willing to lean on the staff and spend a little, this is one of the more serious wine experiences in upstate New York.
Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Downtown / Mill Avenue · Tempe · Cocktail Bar
Filthy Animal is the last place you'd expect to find a real wine list, which is precisely what makes it a Wild Card — the selection punches above the bar's party-school energy, and if you know what to order, you can drink well while everyone else is doing kamikazes. Just don't come here for the value; come for the vibe and the pleasant surprise.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Raleigh · Cocktail Bar
C. Grace is a cocktail bar first, but whoever built this wine list wasn't phoning it in — the Cahors Malbec and Austrian Grüner alone prove that. Markup is the catch, as it usually is in atmosphere-heavy venues, but if you're here for the jazz and the ambiance, a glass of something genuinely interesting is absolutely on the table.
Solid Range
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.