Hi, I am a sommelier and a wine guide with a WSET3 certification.
I would like to share some tips for finding wine bars in Saint Petersburg.
Russia is not well-known for its wines, however, do not miss an opportunity to taste some great local wines and may be even bring some home.
Na Vina!
Wine bar and shop focused on biodynamic wines and small wine estates.
Na Vina! will most likely offer a different, unusual bottle of wine.
Prices are quite reasonable. There are small appetizers to go with the wines – mostly the yummi artisanal sandwiches. The sommelier are well trained and can share a lot of wine knowledge.
Ask to taste biodynamic wines by a Russian winemaker Pavel Shvets.
There are two locations in Saint Petersburg – one is by the Kazansky Cathedral just off Nevsky and the other is at Kronverksky prospect on Petrogradskaya. See the map above.
3A, Kazanskaya Ul. (Казанская ул., д.3А)
Сhicken Singapore Style with Marlborough Sauv Blanc at Wong Kar Wine
Wong Car Wine
A mix of Asian food and interesting selection of wines. Wine by bottle is quite pricey and starts from 2,300 rubles.
Loved the Austrian Gruner Veltliner with the exquisite tuna.
Real Asian-spicy Tom Yam and a few great prawn dishes. Don’t expect big portions even for main dishes, more of a tapas atmosphere.
14, Fontanka River Embankment (наб. р. Фонтанки, д. 14)
Photo: Prosto Wine website
Prosto Vino
Great variety of really affordable wine by the bottle and by the glass. Approximately 120 wines.
Prosto vino is a small and simple bar and restaurant with hearty dishes and friendly service.
A cheese board or a charcuterie plate can be a good choice here.
Reservations are highly recommended.
Photo: Do Immigration Facebook page
Do Immigration
An authentic and democratic wine loft. Walk into a typical St Petersburg inside yard to find the double level bar connected by a bridge.
A bit of a student atmosphere, but worth experimenting if you are looking for something unusual in St Peterburg.
About 70 wines by the glass and several pretty cocktails.
24 Vosstania street (ул. Восстания, 24) (Арт-пространство ФЛИГЕЛЬ) (do not mix up with Ploschad Vosstania which is by the Moskovsky train station)
Crazy Wine
Rubinshteina street is the center of St. Petersburg social life and Crazy Wine bar is a one of the new eclectic style places.
They offer 25 wines by the glass and 130 bottles accompanied by the Basque-style pinchos for 150 rubles, and full array of appetizers, salads and mains. Wines are reasonably priced. Cocktails and liquor drinks are here as well.
For the party atmosphere, drop in here on a weekend.
This is a real bar open till 6am, and 8 am on the weekends.
Bar 8: Time For Wine
Wine bar in Petrogradskaya with 15 wines by the glass.
The space used to be part of the grand entrance which has been transformed into a cute small bar with nice atmosphere. Bar 8 is a good place to make new Russian friends.
Just wine and appetizers are waiting for you every day from 6 pm (closed on Mondays).
Pinch!
PINCH! is a Spanish bar with a good selection of Spanish wines. If you love Italian or French wines, there are some on the wine list as well. In addition, there are cocktails, beers and even Spanish cider!
If you love pinxos and paella, this is the place. This isn’t just a bar. Pinch serves other tapas-like foods, pasta and salads.
Reservations are highly recommended on the weekends when chef makes his famous paella.
Vinostudia
Another great place at a party street Rubinsteina, Vinostudia is a wine bar and restaurant with 60 wines offered by the glass at very attractive prices.
Vinostudia is known for its art events and parties. The staff at Vinostudia is very involved and passionate about wine. You can have various international wines at Vinostudia including a few Georgian wines in case you are curious to try the international wine sensation.
Merula Wine Bar
Excellent location at the Hermitage museum at Dvortsovaya Embankement.
A rather unusual concept – a summer pop-up bar in the yard of the historic Saint Petersburg house with the intriguing interior. An Italian feel, good selection of wines including many organic and biodynamic options, and interesting appetizers – humus, tartar and ceviche. Friendly staff.
The bar is open till 2 am on weekdays, and 4 am on the weekends. There is DJ on the weekends, and French vocal on Thursdays. Open only in the summer time till late September.
Reservations recommended.
20, Dvortsovaya Embankement (Дворцовая набережная, д. 20)
entrance from Moshkov per. 2