11/09/07

Best place to have fun while you're sipping on great wine

by kdavidson88

I just moved to this area and I love this place. The bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly. The music is great -- unlike the stuff they play at other wine bars. Plus, everytime I come, I meet someone new.

It's like my home away from home.

• Pros: great wine and good people
• Cons: it gets really busy on Friday and Saturdays, which can be a positive or negative depending on your mood

01/31/07

So-so....

by raphaelc2

I've been to this establishment twice. First time was on a weekday night, about a year ago, and I recall friendly staff, reasonable prices (great $4-$5 taste bargains on great wine), and a warm but subdued atmosphere -- all in all a great experience that I would give a 9-10 rating.

However, most recently I visited on a weekend afternoon and was really annoyed. The prices seem to have gone up, the quality of wines for the prices were not remarkable, the bartender guy acted like he didn't care to see us, and they decided to turn on music to compensate or the fact that no one was there. Annoying. I can't give this a below-average rating since I haven't been back for a weekend night. But the increase in prices is alone to knock it down a few points. Just above average....

• Pros: Warm, subdued atmosphere, nice wine store
• Cons: Prices, staff friendliness

11/24/06

Gone downhill

by travelgirl4

We used to frequent the Wine Merchant as least 2-3 times a week. It was always a great place for a quiet evening catching up with a friend or a lively night out meeting people, depending upon what night of the week you visited. The bar staff was knowledgeable and the wines exceptional. After a hiatus of a few months we went back recently and was a little disappointed in the experience. There seems to have been 100% turnover in the staff and the prices seem a little out of control. With so many other wine bars in the city I'm not sure when I'll be back.