6. Absolve Wine Lounge This small wine bar is super-quirky, with large reproductions of famous Baroque and Pre-Raphaelite paintings in gilded frames adorning the dark purple walls and ornate wall sconces providing moody light. The by-the-glass list features only 21 different wines (the bottle list has many more), but it's a diverse one with something that would appeal to everyone. On Monday nights, you can get half-price wine by the glass, and the food menu is lengthy without being overwhelming. I mainly love Absolve for the decor, though, which is just so wonderfully funky.

5. Vine Wine Room The wine selection at Vine is hand-picked by the owner, Joe Rippey, who likes to focus on small-production, boutique wineries. The food menu is simple, featuring tasting plates, sandwiches and a few pizzas, which are paired with a glass of wine every Thursday for only $10. The ambience is Old Word antique-y with a little country charm. Next door is Two Saints restaurant, co-owned by Rippey, so head on over to Vine and then wander into Two Saints to make an evening out of it.

4. Vinoteca Poscol We all know Marco Wiles's Italian food is simply fantastic, but pair that with some Old World wines, and you've got a killer hangout. The wine list changes often, but the small tapas-style dinner offerings are consistently excellent, and the prices are very reasonable. It's a laid-back (albeit cramped) space that encourages you to relax and get to know your neighbors. The waiters are very knowledgeable about the wine list, so ask them for help to find the perfect pairing.