Last updated: April 16, 2024

Wine facts

Wine focus: Something for everyone. Options range from familiar to unique with a focus on emerging winemakers and regions. The selection is updated quarterly.
Wine value: Glass prices vary from pricey to affordable. Price point on the bottles leans high from a retail perspective but you can find a good deal when drinking onsite. Retail discounts are offered if 6 or 12 bottles are purchased.
Corkage fees: None
By-the-glass list size: About 20 wines are available by glass, including sparkling, rose, orange, white, and red options.
Food options: Bar snacks, appetizers, flatbreads, salads, and desserts.

In the Weeds

by Jacqueline Pennington

In a sea of breweries and dive bars, The Bohemian: A Wine Bar is a welcome refuge to any wine lover who isn’t sure where to turn when perusing their options in Charlotte’s most eclectic neighborhood.

It’s clear as soon as you enter The Bohemian that it’s a place where people come to relax and have some fun with a glass of wine in hand. The entrance leads directly into the patio that is open air when the weather allows and is full of mismatched furniture, colorful local art, and velvet booths in either corner that are the most coveted seats in the place. Guests tend to stay a while, and I don’t blame them. On a beautiful evening, the patio at The Bohemian is a real gem.

Orders at The Bohemian are taken at the bar and the staff are more than happy to let you sample the options on the glass list that boasts a few options that may be unfamiliar to the everyday wine drinker, with grapes like assyrtiko or dornfelder listed. While everyone behind the bar is friendly and helpful, the knowledge of the wine selection is limited depending on who serves you. If you happen to get the general manager and sommelier who curates the wine selection, Jerry Chandler, you’ll get the low down on whatever wine you ask about and a recommendation for a unique option that may push you out of your comfort zone. While the glass selection has a handful of desirable options, a bottle will be more economical and guarantee a fresh glass. If you do happen to get a glass that’s past its prime, the staff will happily switch it out.

When it comes to the food, the flatbreads really shine. The crust is crispy, the cheese is melty and the toppings are plentiful. The Tuscan was a personal favorite and the sliders are worth a try as well. I’d skip the charcuterie, which paled compared to the other options available. The chef, Mitchel Rhyne, has worked to bring the food into focus at The Bohemian by expanding the menu to include options that allow for more than a glass of wine and a snack, but a full meal with creative options that change seasonally.

The Bohemian doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. It has the casual air befitting of a Plaza Midwood wine bar and doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a sign behind that bar showing how many days both the staff and customers have gone without breaking a glass, taking something that would cause some to gasp at most wine bars and making it something to laugh about. There’s no shame if you’re the unlucky patron who breaks a glass. Dates are happening in the cozy corners, and younger groups are stopping in for a glass of wine before a night on the town. The staff is warm and friendly even if their knowledge level varies.

At the end of the day, The Bohemian encourages you to have a good time, and if you happen to love wine and want an interesting and curated bottle selection, you can find it. If that’s not your intention, it’s still a great neighborhood bar to grab a drink with a friend.

All are welcome here.