Perfectly prepared $5 half pound burger with fries along with live music - three performers on a Wednesday night! Excellent staff and great owner! And I haven't even sampled the other one list yet (been here many times for that). Weekends here are always full of high energy no cover music til closing. Highly recommend the Chicken and Waffle Sliders as well.
(4)
Becca R.
Stopped by on "open mic night" to hear some tunes as I read on CBS that this was one of the best in town. Got there only for it to be cancelled due to lack of interest. Bummer.
(1)
Nicole C.
Wow! With all the good reviews I had high expectations! Pathetic service and the place was dead! Drinks took 15 minutes to arrive, burgers (which were tiny!!!) came out before our calamari app! Calamari had no flavor, was covered in terrible underripe tomatoes and chopped peppers, and had no sauce. Bad waitress asked of we wanted sauce and offered a few choices. We said sure, she brings them then charges 1.50 each!?!?!? Tell me that then ok, but don't just charge it! And you calamari doesn't come with dipping sauce??? What kind of place does that! This place is close to me, and I love wine! You lost a great customer here Al, too bad! Improve food and service, and talk to the chef! Bottom line, don't go, it wasn't good!
(1)
Dave P.
Ok, I'll get this out of the way first...yes, they ate a little pricey. That said, what a great place. Very friendly people, an owner that walks around and makes sure everyone is happy and great food! Live Music is a bonus. Stopped by at midnight on Halloween, and had a blast. This is probably the third or fourth time there, and always good!
Sadly, this place is slipping. I always recommended it in the past - the food was perfect, great service, delicious water lol. Last week we ordered the artichoke dip and it was horrible. It tasted like mayonnaise and sour cream barely mixed together - and it was cold. The bread was rock hard...almost seemed like a joke. It made the $9 glass of wine seem over priced - when the food was good I let it slide. Also, the girl behind the bar wasn't friendly or attentive. There was a 'concert' on the patio which basically meant everyone was smoking cigarettes which filled up the interior. Even the water doesn't taste as good as it used to.
(3)
Liz V.
I think I might have been there at an odd time. I got there just after 6pm on a Wednesday because I just didn't want to cook or eat by myself at home and thought live music sounded like a good option, too. It was still happy hour when I arrived at Bistro Al Vino, and there were a couple of tables of substantially sized groups and about 7 people at the bar. With two dollars off of glasses of wine for happy hour, I got the Riesling. After a few minutes, it became apparent that I had chosen a place at the bar next to an ever growing group of regulars. The bartenders seemed to know everyone, and I'll admit it was a little awkward for me, though Al, one of the guys behind the bar, did say it was nice to have me there. I ordered the Happy Burger, medium rare, and it was good. It definitely was cooked to my preference and it was juicy. The fries on the side seemed to be homemade. Toward the end of my time there, a guitar player who also seemed to know most of the people there took the stage on the other side of the bar. I couldn't really see him from my seat, but he was pretty talented. If I had been there with people I know, I would have wanted to stay longer. I will say that I thought it would be a bit more Italian or more of a lounge based on the name, but I couldn't quite understand what the concept or brand of Bistro Al Vino actually is. It's a huge establishment, and the seating in some areas makes it seem like there should be waiters, but I only saw one guy that seemed to have that type of role. Again, maybe it was just odd timing that I was there. Anyway, for happy hour, the Riesling and the burger with fries came to about $15 before tip.
(3)
Amy G.
I really don't like leaving negative reviews but if this helps someone go somewhere else I'm all for it. I went here with a friend to grab some appetizers and a glass or two of wine. The atmosphere was pretty dingy and the place was empty except for a few 'regulars' at the bar. I ordered the classic wings and my friend ordered the sliders with pretzel bun. My wings were horrible - I didn't think it was possible to screw these up. They were cold, mushy and nothing special. Assumed they were cooked, cooled, somewhat warmed up then slightly dunked in Franks. Took the waitress three attempts to get me the 'blue cheese' but comes to find out they don't actually have blue cheese dressing. The sliders were not acceptable - the beef was about the size of half of a meatball and no pretzel bun was in sight. The bun looked like a squashed dinner roll from the clearance section at Walmart. The wine tasted like the bottle had been open for a few weeks. The wine glasses were dirty. I really want to give Bistro Al Vino a chance to redeem themselves but I don't know if it's worth my time to go back. Bummer!
(1)
Jeremiah V.
Don't drink here they do not belive in drinking responsibility they kicked out my dd because she was 19 and wasn't going to drink they belive that they only need people with money and is legal when they know that drunk driving is dumb and idiotic and there drinks are weak a shit they were all water down and way to over priced for the minimal amount of alcohol that they give this place sucks ass
(1)
Taiwan M.
I am torn...as is this place. Wait, let me back up. Al Vinos is a restaurant catering to wine aficionados/dive bar/night club. They have $100+ bottels of wine, and 24oz. PBR cans. They have high quality cuts of fish, and hamburgers...you get the idea. I had the fish tacos and the chicken and waffle sliders. The fish tacos were ok, but just ok, and a bit overpriced. The chicken and waffle sliders were well thought out by the chef, but the chicken was not seasoned well at all and reminded me of every chicken breast in the college dining hall, but the dish itself was not terrible. I also tasted the fish and chips. The fish was fairly nice, and the fries were overcooked and terrible. Sensing a theme yet? The wait staff was pleasant. ..but the were cussing loudly like salors. I don't think I will return to this restaurant. For the price I expected better quality.
(3)
James D.
Premium Wine is 2 days old most of the time... I ordered a 16$ glass of Merlot and it was so stale! ... What a joke! In general a real disappointment ... Same old same old... blah ... Get over it...
(1)
Neil H.
More than just a wine bar. Always has live music that gets people dancing. Well, people over 40 at least. Definitely a somewhat older crowd. Fairly extensive and ever changing wine list with most generously poured glasses around $10. The owner is almost always there and a great guy. Always socializing and often giving out some free shots out of his personal stash if you take the time to get to know him. The expansion really opened up the dancing, too. Best to think of it as an older dance club that specializes in wine. Usually a quality crowd, too.
(4)
Gabriel L.
Okay, we did stop in again. This time right after opening and again the owner seated us and said someone would be right there. This time a waitress did stop and ask if we wanted a drink, we got a couple of beers. And then we were on our own. 15 minutes later, the beers are gone the menus still on the table and no one has been back. The owner was chatting up a couple of ladies at the next table, the bartender attending to a couple at the bar. A few waitresses wandered around, rolled some silverware, we never did see the girl who brought our first drinks. So, I stopped one of them in the middle of her rolling and asked if we could get some help. She was shocked, shocked!, to learn no one had been back over. She did come take our order, and the food was okay. She did check back once, to drop the check, after we were done eating. It sounds like others have had better experiences, and I think that's nice. We'll never go back. There's better food and better beers to be had, well, just about anywhere else actually.
(1)
Lena K.
While it's a great find in our suburbia and we had a good time there, it's not exactly my kind of place. The wine and food selection was good, the service was OK, but the music was too loud for us to have a pleasant conversation, and the smokers on the patio didn't make it a welcoming spot.
(3)
Wanda C.
Surprising little gem with food/alcohol and live music. I can't speak for the food, but the drinks kept flowing and the music was magic. We had such a good time here. Prices for drinks were on par with regular bars, not fancy, but normal priced. Moscow mules were a little weak, but still decent for $7. Lots of parking, low lighting inside, great venue for live music. Bar with space for stage and dance floor and restaurant/booths on other side.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Very Loud Music : Live Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ted S.
To coin a cliché, this place "is what it is." Translation: some will like it, others will register a "meh," and others evidently (based on some reviews here) will despise it. Count me in the "meh" category. We live by Washington Park, so the only reason we made the trek to Bistro Al Vino is because we know a player in the band. It's a big space in a strip mall. The entrance is awkward, lined by rows of tables. A little too congested, especially when the place fills up as the live band kicks in. And it does. You can tell about 90% of the folks here are frequent locals It's a mostly over-50 set that dances to the cover hits played by the band; their horn section is good and they do a great job of getting people out on the floor. What's weird is the tripolar personality of the bistro: it has something like 100 wines by the glass, its foundation I'd think. It is a restaurant, and tries to be a dance club of sorts. As the night gets going, it's more of a club and gets quite loud. So fine dining it is not. Speaking of dining: overpriced and not very well executed. My fish and chips was obviously made from frozen fish and deep fried in oil that wasn't properly heated. It was mushy inside, not crisp. Home-style fries a bit soggy, limp and greasy. The fish came with slaw....well, not really: does a thimble's worth of slaw even count? My two gal pals each ordered the Alana's salad ($14). It's advertised with candied walnuts and artichoke hearts. Each salad had EXACTLY ONE tiny candied walnut and artichoke heart slice. "Since when did salads like this cost $14?" was the feeling by both. I admire the backstory of the owner, Al, who survived throat cancer and went on to make this place happen. It's a family and friends kinda deal, folks. If you come in, you'll see Al (and it will be obvious he's the owner) presiding over his brood like a proud papa, shaking many a hand of patrons familiar and new, who over-pay for mediocre/poor quality food in a setting that leaves you wondering if it's a bar, club, bistro or real-deal restaurant. In my book, it's a place to have a few drinks, maybe nosh on some HH starters, hit the dance floor, then call it a night.
(2)John E.
Perfectly prepared $5 half pound burger with fries along with live music - three performers on a Wednesday night! Excellent staff and great owner! And I haven't even sampled the other one list yet (been here many times for that). Weekends here are always full of high energy no cover music til closing. Highly recommend the Chicken and Waffle Sliders as well.
(4)Becca R.
Stopped by on "open mic night" to hear some tunes as I read on CBS that this was one of the best in town. Got there only for it to be cancelled due to lack of interest. Bummer.
(1)Nicole C.
Wow! With all the good reviews I had high expectations! Pathetic service and the place was dead! Drinks took 15 minutes to arrive, burgers (which were tiny!!!) came out before our calamari app! Calamari had no flavor, was covered in terrible underripe tomatoes and chopped peppers, and had no sauce. Bad waitress asked of we wanted sauce and offered a few choices. We said sure, she brings them then charges 1.50 each!?!?!? Tell me that then ok, but don't just charge it! And you calamari doesn't come with dipping sauce??? What kind of place does that! This place is close to me, and I love wine! You lost a great customer here Al, too bad! Improve food and service, and talk to the chef! Bottom line, don't go, it wasn't good!
(1)Dave P.
Ok, I'll get this out of the way first...yes, they ate a little pricey. That said, what a great place. Very friendly people, an owner that walks around and makes sure everyone is happy and great food! Live Music is a bonus. Stopped by at midnight on Halloween, and had a blast. This is probably the third or fourth time there, and always good!
(4)Elizabeth M.
This is a great "neighborhood" place. Always a pleasure to see Al around greeting his guests. They do have bands here and will always be a crowd around the bar. Great wine selection and really enjoyed my peach mojito (not too sweet), refreshing, just right and $2 off during HH. I do like that the chef is inventive here and will change out the menu (you will notice there food menu is not permanent). This place is a wine/social venue especially as the night goes on, so you don't want to arrive late for a quiet dinner on peak days. Stopped her after an errand with the man and decided finally have a meal here. They have a good HH with $2 off drinks and 25% off Bar Apps (which includes a nice selection). We had the edamame which was cooked perfect serviced with a nice tangy sauce, loaded tater tots, and shared an entrée of the bacon wrapped scallops. I really enjoyed the entrée which was really inventive with sautéed scallops, wrapped in bacon, placed on potato pancakes, and sprinkled with roasted corn. I will definitely be back to see Al's friendly smiling face....and maybe try the Chicken and Waffle Sliders as well....
(4)Tiara Q.
Sadly, this place is slipping. I always recommended it in the past - the food was perfect, great service, delicious water lol. Last week we ordered the artichoke dip and it was horrible. It tasted like mayonnaise and sour cream barely mixed together - and it was cold. The bread was rock hard...almost seemed like a joke. It made the $9 glass of wine seem over priced - when the food was good I let it slide. Also, the girl behind the bar wasn't friendly or attentive. There was a 'concert' on the patio which basically meant everyone was smoking cigarettes which filled up the interior. Even the water doesn't taste as good as it used to.
(3)Liz V.
I think I might have been there at an odd time. I got there just after 6pm on a Wednesday because I just didn't want to cook or eat by myself at home and thought live music sounded like a good option, too. It was still happy hour when I arrived at Bistro Al Vino, and there were a couple of tables of substantially sized groups and about 7 people at the bar. With two dollars off of glasses of wine for happy hour, I got the Riesling. After a few minutes, it became apparent that I had chosen a place at the bar next to an ever growing group of regulars. The bartenders seemed to know everyone, and I'll admit it was a little awkward for me, though Al, one of the guys behind the bar, did say it was nice to have me there. I ordered the Happy Burger, medium rare, and it was good. It definitely was cooked to my preference and it was juicy. The fries on the side seemed to be homemade. Toward the end of my time there, a guitar player who also seemed to know most of the people there took the stage on the other side of the bar. I couldn't really see him from my seat, but he was pretty talented. If I had been there with people I know, I would have wanted to stay longer. I will say that I thought it would be a bit more Italian or more of a lounge based on the name, but I couldn't quite understand what the concept or brand of Bistro Al Vino actually is. It's a huge establishment, and the seating in some areas makes it seem like there should be waiters, but I only saw one guy that seemed to have that type of role. Again, maybe it was just odd timing that I was there. Anyway, for happy hour, the Riesling and the burger with fries came to about $15 before tip.
(3)Amy G.
I really don't like leaving negative reviews but if this helps someone go somewhere else I'm all for it. I went here with a friend to grab some appetizers and a glass or two of wine. The atmosphere was pretty dingy and the place was empty except for a few 'regulars' at the bar. I ordered the classic wings and my friend ordered the sliders with pretzel bun. My wings were horrible - I didn't think it was possible to screw these up. They were cold, mushy and nothing special. Assumed they were cooked, cooled, somewhat warmed up then slightly dunked in Franks. Took the waitress three attempts to get me the 'blue cheese' but comes to find out they don't actually have blue cheese dressing. The sliders were not acceptable - the beef was about the size of half of a meatball and no pretzel bun was in sight. The bun looked like a squashed dinner roll from the clearance section at Walmart. The wine tasted like the bottle had been open for a few weeks. The wine glasses were dirty. I really want to give Bistro Al Vino a chance to redeem themselves but I don't know if it's worth my time to go back. Bummer!
(1)Jeremiah V.
Don't drink here they do not belive in drinking responsibility they kicked out my dd because she was 19 and wasn't going to drink they belive that they only need people with money and is legal when they know that drunk driving is dumb and idiotic and there drinks are weak a shit they were all water down and way to over priced for the minimal amount of alcohol that they give this place sucks ass
(1)Taiwan M.
I am torn...as is this place. Wait, let me back up. Al Vinos is a restaurant catering to wine aficionados/dive bar/night club. They have $100+ bottels of wine, and 24oz. PBR cans. They have high quality cuts of fish, and hamburgers...you get the idea. I had the fish tacos and the chicken and waffle sliders. The fish tacos were ok, but just ok, and a bit overpriced. The chicken and waffle sliders were well thought out by the chef, but the chicken was not seasoned well at all and reminded me of every chicken breast in the college dining hall, but the dish itself was not terrible. I also tasted the fish and chips. The fish was fairly nice, and the fries were overcooked and terrible. Sensing a theme yet? The wait staff was pleasant. ..but the were cussing loudly like salors. I don't think I will return to this restaurant. For the price I expected better quality.
(3)James D.
Premium Wine is 2 days old most of the time... I ordered a 16$ glass of Merlot and it was so stale! ... What a joke! In general a real disappointment ... Same old same old... blah ... Get over it...
(1)Neil H.
More than just a wine bar. Always has live music that gets people dancing. Well, people over 40 at least. Definitely a somewhat older crowd. Fairly extensive and ever changing wine list with most generously poured glasses around $10. The owner is almost always there and a great guy. Always socializing and often giving out some free shots out of his personal stash if you take the time to get to know him. The expansion really opened up the dancing, too. Best to think of it as an older dance club that specializes in wine. Usually a quality crowd, too.
(4)Gabriel L.
Okay, we did stop in again. This time right after opening and again the owner seated us and said someone would be right there. This time a waitress did stop and ask if we wanted a drink, we got a couple of beers. And then we were on our own. 15 minutes later, the beers are gone the menus still on the table and no one has been back. The owner was chatting up a couple of ladies at the next table, the bartender attending to a couple at the bar. A few waitresses wandered around, rolled some silverware, we never did see the girl who brought our first drinks. So, I stopped one of them in the middle of her rolling and asked if we could get some help. She was shocked, shocked!, to learn no one had been back over. She did come take our order, and the food was okay. She did check back once, to drop the check, after we were done eating. It sounds like others have had better experiences, and I think that's nice. We'll never go back. There's better food and better beers to be had, well, just about anywhere else actually.
(1)Lena K.
While it's a great find in our suburbia and we had a good time there, it's not exactly my kind of place. The wine and food selection was good, the service was OK, but the music was too loud for us to have a pleasant conversation, and the smokers on the patio didn't make it a welcoming spot.
(3)Wanda C.
Surprising little gem with food/alcohol and live music. I can't speak for the food, but the drinks kept flowing and the music was magic. We had such a good time here. Prices for drinks were on par with regular bars, not fancy, but normal priced. Moscow mules were a little weak, but still decent for $7. Lots of parking, low lighting inside, great venue for live music. Bar with space for stage and dance floor and restaurant/booths on other side.
(4)