Neighborhood Spot Where Wine Takes a Backseat
Downtown St. Petersburg · St. Petersburg · Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed February 22, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Tryst reads like an afterthought to the beer and cocktail program—short, safe, and clearly not the star of the show. You're looking at the kind of crowd-pleasers you'd find at any neighborhood gastropub: a few California cabs, maybe a Malbec, standard issue Pinot Grigio. Nothing offensive, nothing exciting.
The list skews heavily New World with California doing most of the heavy lifting alongside some Argentine and Australian entries. You'll find workhorses like J Lohr Cabernet and 14 Hands Hot to Trot Red Blend—reliable names that move volume but won't make anyone's Instagram. Old World presence is minimal, maybe a Chianti or a Spanish Rioja if you're lucky. The selection suggests someone ordered from a distributor's greatest hits list and called it a day. No deep cuts, no regional exploration, no producer stories worth telling.
Glass pours lean predictable: a Sauvignon Blanc, a Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir, a Cabernet. They're rotated about as often as the menu changes, which is to say rarely. Expect 6-8 options that stay put for months, poured into stemless tumblers that work fine for casual drinking but don't do the wine any favors. Portions are generous, at least, usually a solid 6-ounce pour.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir — $42
Solid California producer at a price that won't sting too badly for a gastropub markup—fruit-forward enough to handle their burgers
Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza
If they stock it, this Spanish workhorse offers Old World structure and food-friendliness that stands out on a New World-heavy list
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay
Grocery store staple marked up to $38—you can buy the whole bottle at Publix for $12 and have change left over
Educated Guess Napa Cabernet + Gastropub Burger with Bacon Jam
Big, fruit-forward Cab stands up to umami-rich bacon and char without getting trampled—classic American pairing done right
✔️ The Bottom Line
Tryst is a beer-and-burger spot that happens to sell wine, not a wine destination. Come for the gastropub vibes, order a craft beer, and save your wine budget for somewhere that actually cares about the list.
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Surprising Depth
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Varietal Specific
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Deep & Eclectic
Steep
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
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Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Stemless Casual
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Small but Thoughtful
Steal
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
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