West End Wine Bar

Didn't eat so this review is for the bar only- come here with a group of friends, the bartender was extremely friendly, attentive, and knowledgable about the wine. He also let us sample quite a few of the wines, which was a nice touch, especially since some of them are not cheap. Lastly, the upstairs area is a nice touch, it's great to relax out on the patio on a warm day.

Came here for a date recently on a Friday night and was turned off by the sound and the poor table service. In addition to music blaring at 8 pm, they also had a huge TV tuned to ABC with the sound blaring on that, contrasting with the music. There was no big game on, just regular TV on in the background for no reason. It was really distracting and lame. I found a somewhat quieter and cozy spot in the back and suggested to my date that we move back there. The waitress, who was wearing a bandeau top under some flimsy number (are you working at a wine bar or are you at Lollapalooza?), never came to our table. So we ordered at the bar, and the bartender was pretty cool. I tried all 3 of the reds offered that night by the glass, but I only really liked the tempranillo. I also ordered the bean cassoulet, which was fine but overpriced.

Comparing this to the other location, I much prefer the one in Durham. It is more sophisticated and feels more like a proper wine bar to me.

West End Wine Bar vs. The Cellar:
Girl bar upstairs. Boy bar downstairs. Trust me. Fellas, bring your ladies, but come in a big group, so that way nobody will be upset when you find the women dancing on the small floor to "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction holding white wine spritzers while you and the gents rack up some billiards downstairs to 90s hip hop standards in a dank basement and cheap pints of PBR on tap.