Cincinnati’s Downtown district is revitalizing: more hip spots for dating, drinks out with friends, meetings with potential business partners and let-your-hair-down-worthy environments seek to make Downtown the place to be.
Something to Wine About, a new addition to Downtown and the only self-pour wine bar in the district, aims to become the perfect spot for all of the above.
Opened on Dec. 7, Something to Wine About is owned by Orlando “Lando” Chapman, known in Cincinnati entertainment circles for owning RilEntertainment, which headlines several entertainment events, including the Old School Happy Hours, weekly events held for the 30-plus-year-old crowd of R&B aficionados. In short, Chapman knows how to entertain, and you can tell from the first step into Something to Wine About. The lounge space is filled with swoon-worthy mood lighting and beautiful pink, blue and purple couches arranged for groups to congregate. When you enter, to your left is the self-pour station and a sleek white bar, to the right is a cordoned-off VIP area, and at the very back are a stage and a gigantic TV. Smooth R&B music plays over the speakers. The appearance is that of an exclusive club, and with a staff so friendly and welcoming, you feel like a VIP.
If you don’t feel like sampling different wines at the self-pour station, you can get a full wine pour, bottle or cocktail at the bar. After a long, tiring day, I ordered a glass of Serena Sweet Red ($11 by the glass, $44 by the bottle), a stunning, sweet, effervescent Italian red. I was perhaps the only solo customer among a plethora of couples. The ambiance makes Something to Wine About perfect for date night, whether you’re meeting someone new or keeping the spark alive.
The second time around, my server recommended an off-menu pour of Vigneto Dolce Sweet Red ($10). Just my luck, the self-pour apparatus was on the fritz, and the tech was in California, but my servers kindly gave me a miniature wine tasting, including a sweet red and a sweet, refreshing Moscato d’Asti. The vibe in Something to Wine About is superb, in no small part due to the excellent staff.
In addition to delicious wines, Something to Wine About offers cocktails, and light bites (or “wine pairings”) ranging from a charcuterie board to light entrees like the jerk chicken rasta pasta to red velvet cake bites. What sets Something to Wine About apart from other wine bars is the self-pour station, inspired by the time Chapman and his wife spent in New Orleans, where they encountered similar lounges. At Something to Wine About, you get a reloadable card that you can swipe at the station to sample different wines straight from the spigot. It’s a self-guided wine tasting of sorts featuring both domestic and foreign wines from Italy, Portugal, South Africa and other countries around the world. Something to Wine About also highlights wines from Black-owned wineries, such as House of Brown in California, Markell-Bani in Cincinnati and Kumusha in South Africa. They also showcase the Eric Davis 44 Wine collection from Revel by Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis; currently the Red bottle goes for $56 and can only be picked up in-store.
As can be expected from an establishment owned by a local entertainment mogul, Something to Wine About places a large emphasis on hosting events, including the weekly Something to Sing About karaoke event every Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Guests can take the stage and sing the song of their choice; despite my server’s encouragement, I did not take the stage. (Maybe next time.)
Something to Wine About has several wine memberships at various prices with loads of perks: monthly bottles from their in-house label, early access to events, members-only tastings, complimentary birthday gifts, a membership program and more. Whether you’re a casual wine sipper, a connoisseur or just looking for a new place for a night out, you’ll find style and comfort at Something to Wine About.
Something to Wine About is open from Wednesday to Sunday. Wednesday and Thursday hours are from 4-10 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays it is open from 1 to 12 a.m., and on Sundays it is open from 4-7 p.m.
Something to Wine About, 136 W. 4th St., Downtown. More info: itssomethingtowineabout.com.
This story is featured in CityBeat’s April 30 print edition.
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 13, 2025.