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.
Review Source: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.
I was excited to try the wine at this place but quickly changed my mind. The bartender was extremely rude. He insisted I open a tab and insulted my intelligence when I ordered off the regular menu instead of the specials menu. Maybe he wasn't ready for customers as I did come in early on a Tues night. The food was fairly good but the glass of wine I got was a small amount for the price I paid. I really wanted to like this place but after the service and attitude of the bartender I won't be returning.
Review Source:Really liked the decor and choice of places to explore at this place. Was disappointed that it wasn't a place to enjoy cigars like the fun cigar lounge in Durham. The bartender and bar staff guy could've been more welcoming, especially since it wasn't busy. They seemed to be yawning with their responses.
Review Source:You go the Wine Bar to relaaaaaaaax not to party. Â Lay back with a glass of red in the super cozy leather couches on a winter's night, or go upstairs to the roofed patio and enjoy a hot summer evening with a nice chilled glass of white. Â They always have at least one red and white on special, or you can choose a glass or bottle from their large selection. Â And despite the name, they have several good beers on tap (Bell's Two-Hearted Ale and Fat Tire are the regular highlights). Â
The food is gourmet and expensive, but tasty. Â I'll usually just go for the small nibbling sides, such as pita/hummus, almonds or olives. Â The pizzas are decent but rather overpriced.
Wow - I have always liked West End but they've recently taken it to another level. Â Check this: Â Every Tuesday until September 27 there's one of 4 house bands and $2 beer and wine specials. Â Get a beer and enjoy the music on the main floor. Â Then head up the rooftop and hang with your crew. Â Then go down to the Cellar and shoot a few games of (free) pool. Â The musicians today (Jeff Crawford group) were awesome. Â The beer on special was Sky Blue Golden Ale (sadly I don't know wine nearly as well as beer, but SB is good). Â You owe it to yourself to go chill at West End (especially on Tuesdays)!
Review Source:Went here with a post-dinner group on a Friday night (apparently a slower night for Franklin Street) and found it to be quite busy. Â It was so busy, in fact, that the micro-portion of cheese and olives I ordered took about 45 minutes to arrive. Â
The wine selection was fair, but I couldn't help thinking the list was needlessly constrained by what the ownership perceived the "student budget" to be capable of accommodating. Â Last time I checked, there's not a great deal of overlap between the wine-sipping, croissant-eating crowd and the get-through-school-on-a-shoestring-budget crowd. Â The wine glasses were clunky and smacked of soap, while the lighting and decor were pretty nice overall. Â I even found the room temperature surprisingly tolerable. Â
We stood at the bar, as most of the couches and seating areas were already populated with patrons. Â Unfortunately, a shortage of tables seemed to leave many people milling around in no-man's land, forcing those stationed nearby to remain vigilant against having their glasses sloshed empty by innocent jostling in close quarters--a posture that tends to hurry one's wine-drinking experience rather than nurture it. Â I can imagine this place being much more enjoyable with a few less people crowding the bar area. Â
As a reviewer below suggested, the average age here seemed appropriately to be a bit higher than what you see in other college slophouses like He's Not Here. Â
In short, the West End Wine Bar is not bad, but not great. Â It provides a neat alternative to the generic college bar scene; but a few minor changes could make it a much nicer place, and a bit more emphasis on the wine itself could earn it a fourth star.
I'm probably not in a position to judge, since we popped in for a 20-minute pre-dinner drink. But judge I shall, for Yelp allows me to do so. We liked what we saw here - funky decor, reasonably priced wine list, and exactly the right level of lighting for such a joint.
We massively enjoyed the rose Cava - a steal at $7 a glass. And we perched at the end of the bar which is covered in mosaics, admiring the bold artwork, the unusual lamps and the overall vibe.
Only negatives were
- the overwhelming smell of dish detergent as we were ordering. I know it's unavoidable but it threw me off.
- the lack of high-end wines. Most expensive wine I could find on the list was $70. Not that I don't love the cheap stuff and get excited about trying value- and mid-priced wines. This just felt like a place where, once in a while, you might want to get a little decadent.
At any rate, we'll be back to take down a flight or two and tackle the tapas - for now, it looks very promising.
A bar for grownups! Â I'm not a student nor am I student age. Â When I go out on Franklin Street, I appreciate West End for the casual, relaxed atmosphere. Â The roof deck is crowded on weekends but deserted during the week. Â There are lots of chairs, tables and couches and even when most are occupied the place doesn't feel too crowded or loud. Â West End is definitely my go-to place to hang out with friends after dinner.
Review Source:So there I am, walking down Franklin Street thinking "man, you know what would be great? If one of these places gave me a bunch of free wine to drink."  Within moments, I basically tripped over a sign on the sidewalk  - "Free Wine tasting 5-7PM"
I entered with my crew of colleagues and we were treated to some wine. Â Sure, it wasn't the most amazing wine in the world, but they were liberal with giving it away and I wasn't complaining.
West End is a place of dual identities. Â On the ground level, it is a nicely decorated wine bar that you bring a date because it is a charming, comfortable atmosphere. Â It is clean and the service is extremely attentive. Â The bartender, Michael, is happy to talk to patrons about the area.
Go downstairs to The Cellar and you are in your buddy's basement in college. Â A full bar, low ceiling, and pool table will greet you as you pound beers. Â I have to give huge props to the designers of this place for putting a railing on the shelf near the pool table so that there's no chance in hell that a thrown elbow or misstep will cause any drink spillage. Â As a violent renegade who follows "no rules but his own," thrown elbows, missteps, and booze spillage are frequent events when I go out...unless I'm at West End Wine Bar. Â Here, there is no spillage.
West End Wine Bar is much more chill than its downstairs brethren, The Cellar. Â It's one part cool wine bar with nice couches and the like, and one part upstairs that's covered and outside.
The upstairs portion of West End is really nice and comfy. Â The chairs are nice upstairs, and it's easy to pull a bunch together for a particularly large group. Â It can get a little warm if it is a particularly warm evening, but overall it's nice.
Downstairs, the bar is nice, and the prices are okay, though not remarkable. Â They have a lot of nice seating for people to just chill (lots of couches and whatnot) and also have a Pac-Man machine, which is cool.
It's a nice comfortable place for a nice Saturday evening out. Â It's also not as crazy as, say, many other places on Franklin, which helps greatly.
Wine bar is a fun place to come drink wine with friends, but only on a less popular night. It has a layout that's good for group conversation (sections of comfy couches or grouped tables) during less busy times, but on weekends when it's crowded, that leaves lots of people standing around, with wine glasses and maybe a bottle, but no table space. I also think it's a good wine selection for casual wine drinkers, but don't expect the staff to be experts, or to get any kind of presentation or nice wine glasses.
One thing I especially like about it is you won't feel out of place if you're over 24 -- it seems to be mostly populated by grad students, young professionals, and townies. Good for a date.
nice wine bar on franklin st. they have a nice rotation of special deals each week. the building is well suited for hanging out and driking a glass of wine. people have a good time here and if your over 25 you won't feel out of place in this college town. it can be extremely noisy in here when it gets full.
Review Source:I really wanted to like this place. I love Wine Bars and there are so precious few in the Triangle. Alas it shouldn't be. We went as a group of four on a Friday night after having dinner across the street and settled into the plush couches (the other reviewers are right: those are very comfortable if you're lucky enough to snag them). That's then everything went downhill. The place was virtually empty around 9pm - only a few customers at the bar - yet none of the 4-5 staff made a move to come close to our table. We finally got up and got the wine list - which is quite nice. 15 minutes later still no waiter. So we ended up ordering at the bar.
Well, if this is a wine bar nobody told them yet that the glasses make a difference!! I'm not asking for Riedel (although it would be nice) - but what they serve the wine in (at $12/glass not exactly cheap!) is borderline raping the wine. Thick-walled glasses with a round edge and a visible ridge around the edge. And to top it off filled to about an inch of the edge. Seriously?!?
The wines we got were good - but completely masked by the terrible glasses. I'm afraid we will not go back there. If I'm spending the money on wine I want to enjoy it.
I'm a relative newcomer to wines. Â I still don't have as refined a palate as most wine-drinkers in the world (even the casual ones). Â But I love the West End Wine Bar. Â Maybe it's because the bartenders there allow me to hem and haw and be indecisive as I sit there and try to remember that one wine I had that one time that was so good. Â Maybe it's because I'll try two wines and then ask them "hey, I liked this one and I liked this one...tell me what I like in a wine." Â Maybe it's even because they'll try to answer that question.
Then again, it could just be the atmosphere. Â With plenty of couch space laid out so that you can easily just have a nice night with who you rolled into the bar with downstairs, and an equally laid back (though less - for lack of a better word at the moment - elegant) rooftop seating area. Â They even have a few tasty beers on tap for when I get tired of trying to be a wine guy (some day, though, I'll get the hang of this) and a sit-down Ms Pac Man machine that can take you right back to six years old when you feel like trying to be a wine guy has made you feel older than you'd like.
There's more bar space downstairs that feels more like a cozy little dive with a pool table, but it's a "members only" situation. Â That said, the membership is worth it if you're going to frequent West End and will occasionally want to slip through the crowds and retreat to a location that (and the couches and cushy seats will have to forgive my saying so) feels a little more comfortable. Â
Oddly, beer-loving guy that I am, I prefer West End to most of the other bars that Chapel Hill has to offer.
I once shot a movie in the West End wine bar, since then it's always held a fond place in my heart. The bar has a variety f wine and beer options available, and is always packed with students.
If you're traveling with non-wine drinkers they have cans of PBR available for only $1 (cheapest beer on Franklin street!). For the wine gurus there's a pretty decent wine list available. We usually opt to buy entire bottles for the table, and sit on the roof.
The roof of west End is awesome on hot summer nights, and even pleasant sometimes during the winter months as well!
I don't really find the Wine Bar as intimidating or pretentious as some people seem to think it is. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable, with cushy couches and a great upstairs patio. They also have an awesome table-top Pac Man game that you can play, which is a nice playful touch. The staff has always been polite and helpful, and if you don't know anything about wine they can be a valuable resource. I've never had the cheese plate, but the wine selection is top notch, with many different tastes and price points. As some people have mentioned, the crowd does skew a bit older. That certainly doesn't mean that undergraduates would feel out of place, but it does mean that the drunken antics of East Franklin won't be well received here.
Review Source:The phrase to keep in mind here is "breath of fresh air." Â I don't know what it is about the west end of Franklin, but between this place and the Mansion, I'm loving the Brandy Snifter Chic of this part of town.
If you couldn't have guessed, you come here for wine. Â The wine is excellent, too, so yeah, they dodged a bullet on that one. Â The atmosphere is almost unbeatable in Chapel Hill, with comfortable couches and a relaxed, mingle-friendly layout.
I'd stay away from the cheese... It's just not in keeping with the quality of the place, and really not worth the expense.
Definitely don't overlook the roof. Â By far the best times I've ever had here were with a group on the roof getting lightly toasted on cabernet and discussing... well, things you probably don't want to hear about. Â Still, good times.
A great hang-out. Two floors with tons of space and a mix of couches, tables, and a full-length bar. And if you get tired of wine, you can crawl downstairs to the Cellar. Another one that's popular with grad-students, Wine Bar caters to a slightly more 'sophisticated' crowd. The wine menu is large and rotates. Do the wine flights. They are the perfect way to try a bunch of new wines and to draw comparisons (if you're into all that aficionado wine chat!); they are also poured heavily, so it's an excellent value for your money. I've ordered the cheese plate before, and they usually have a nice variety to choose from but it's not terribly fancy or anything. The only thing I would have hoped for is to have a bit more knowledgeable or eager-to-help staff. It is a wine bar after all, and recommendations are going to be sought after! In the true test of appeal, I brought my California friends here (one of whom is born and raised in SanFran), and they were won over.
Review Source:The sofas, the late night pizza cooking in the back and the crowd are amazing.
I absolutely love to come here and snuggle up on the the big cushy leather sofa with a lovely glass of vino. Â It's a wonderful place to come with people you know and meet some cool new people as well. Â
They have a great wine selection and bottled beers too-- for those who are more into the brew that is, but granted it is a "wine bar". Â They do what they can to please the masses.
My other all time favorite part of this bar is the outdoor patio on the roof-- it's just perfect! Â Warm nights and cool people-- the right kind of combination.
West End Wine Bar is one of my favorite places during the summer, mainly because of the open air roof deck. It's a great place to go to sit and talk with friends as the crowd tends not to be undergraduate students (read: not rowdy). The wine list is extensive, as expected, with a full range of domestic and international wines available. Â They have a small selection of cheese plates available, but not much else food wise.
The atmosphere here is extremely mellow, with large couches lining the walls. It can get extremely crowded Thursday-Saturday, so if you have a lot of people in your group, go early for prime seating. Don't forget that Wine Bar closes at 1M, earlier than most bars on Franklin St.
The Wine Bar is a good break from the usual college-bar scene. Crowd's generally a little more mature, atmosphere's a little more upscale. Â You can have the unique experience of getting tipsy on Moscato d'Asti, (but you'll feel kind of like a fairy princess afterwards). It's nice to be able to go somewhere, have your pick of a wide variety of wines, and get comfy on the big smooshy couches. It's quite pleasant when things aren't too crowded. On busy nights, though, it can be packed, and you'll just resent all those people hogging the couches. The upstairs deck is a nice place to sit also, but you will have to head up and down the stairs with wine in hand and a buzz on, so beware.
Review Source:A lovely place to chill before or after a date, or with friends. They have a wide selection of wines, including many that I consider to be reasonably priced. It's better to come here when it's not overflowing with people - it's more intimate and cozy, and it gets loud and hot when packed to the gills.
Review Source:The West End wine bar is one of the few places on Franklin Street that's a bit upscale and made for an older crowd. Â The exposed brick and ironwork make for great ambiance though it can get noisy at times. Â It's a long space with wooden plank floors and small cafe tables, stuffed couches and chairs scattered throughout. Â At the bar you can choose off the lengthy wine menu or grab a beer. Â There's no hard drinks/liquor available so you'll have to hold off on the shots for now! Â Best deals are the wines of the day or buy a bottle. Â There's also a small appetizer menu but people rarely eat there. Â
A set of iron stairs leads you to the roof where you can relax under the stars on a warm night. Â If it gets too noisy in the main room, head upstairs where the noise has someplace to go. Â At the back of West End is another set of stairs leading down to the Cellar. Â Another bar complete with pool tables, hazy smoke, hard liquor and a very different feel from the main room and rooftop. Â
The crowd is typically 25 - 45 year old singles, young couples, grad students and professionals and it can get crowded particularly if there's an event going on. Â Service is ok but a bit indifferent, it can take a while to get a drink and I don't understand why. Â There's only one long bar and typically they seem to be a bit understaffed or don't pay enough attention to their customers. Â Overall I really enjoy the West End wine bar though it can get pricey quickly ($5 - $11/glass)! Â A nice place to chat with friends or meet some people in a hip location...
I really don't like this place. Â While it is spacious and has a nice roof deck perfect for crisp fall nights, the atmosphere around the bar on any typical student night out (Tues, Thurs - Sat) is mayhem. Â The wine selections are decent and the bartenders (if/when you can get to one) are knowledgeable; the specials are usually a safe and more affordable bet.
The crowd is very loud, undergrad/professional school-y, and food options are severely limited and so not worth the price. Â If you're looking for a meatmarket scene to land a future i-banker or corporate lawyer, this may be the place for you; if you're not, then stay away.
This place would be 5 stars if you're a young single guy looking for lots of tail/single girls.... . In my case it's a 4 star place to hang out with friends on squishy couches drinking lots of wine. Â They have a decent selection of wines, all pretty reasonably priced. My only complaint is that their menu really stinks. The cheese plate is boring and the charcuterie is sliced thicker than coke bottle lenses. Â Which makes this a great place to relax and drink AFTER dinner.
Review Source:The wine bar is a totally laid back place to go taste some different wines (around $3 for half a glass) or have a full glass of your favorite. The bartenders are always friendly and never snobby. The bar stays pretty quiet until maybe 11, when it gets more crowded and they turn the music up.
It's a nice place to take your date after dinner. Better yet, go there for happy hour on a sunny day and hang out on the patio upstairs.Also, it's a great "girls night-out" spot.
If you're looking to avoid most of the undergrads in town, hit up Wine Bar, on the West end of Franklin. Â Definitely more of a business/grad school crowd and I don't think they allow smoking (on the street level). Â There is an outdoor roof patio that has quite a few seats which is a nice place to escape to if the weather is right. Â I've had some great glasses and some pretty terrible ones, so it's difficult to offer outright reco's. Â Look for the specials if you're budget conscious or try a taste of something first. Â Be wary of the way the menu is laid out as you may look at the price for a taste/half glass, order a full glass, and then be surprised when your bill arrives!
There's also the downstairs level, known as the Cellar which claims to be a private club (I've heard some kind of trivial annual fee is charged, though I've never been asked to prove membership) which is younger, smokier and has a few pool tables.
Get drunk while pretending you are all grown up.  At least that is what I used to do at the wine bar.  Watch the tab though, you might find that you start out ordering the local merlot, but after a couple of glasses you decide to go all out and really  "experience" a great wine.  And by great I mean 50 dollars.  I think I probably paid for that wine for over a year on my credit card bill.  Oh, the bad old days.
Review Source:
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