Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileGus Gus
Saint Paul, MN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Gus Gus blends a dive-bar coziness with a refined beverage program. The cocktail list is inventive—think olive oil-washed martinis and chili-infused tequila—while the wine list spans global regions at fair prices. Non-alcoholic options are notably extensive, including NA wine and beer. Happy hour deals add value across all categories.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Spritz Salato, a savory-sherry sparkler. For something bolder, Plum's The Word balances chili heat with passionfruit. Wine drinkers should seek the Albariño 'Lias Finas' for its textural complexity. Don't miss the Brown Butter Bourbon if you prefer spirits neat.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking unconventional flavor combinations, wine lovers wanting a global selection without pretension, and those who appreciate a well-curated non-alcoholic menu. The cozy, dive-bar-meets-refined atmosphere appeals to both casual sippers and dedicated drinkers.
- When should I go?
- Happy hour is the prime time to explore, with $1 off cocktails and wines by the glass, plus $3 Tap Hamms. Evenings are ideal for a relaxed bar experience, especially for those who enjoy sitting at the bar and chatting with attentive staff.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Signature cocktails are uniformly $14, with a $1 discount during happy hour. Wine bottles range from $46 to $95, and beers from $4 to $9. Non-alcoholic options are accessible, with NA Riesling at $12 and NA pilsner at $6.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The program's strength lies in its fearless cocktail creativity—spicy, savory, and fruit-forward—and its serious wine list that avoids clichés. The extensive non-alcoholic lineup, including NA Jell-O shots and THC-infused beverages, sets it apart from typical wine bars.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Creative, well-constructed cocktails with unique ingredients like fino sherry, chili-infused tequila, and brown butter-washed bourbon.
Menu strengths
- — Menu features original combinations such as Spritz Salato and Plum's The Word.
Standout selections
- — Spritz Salato – fino sherry, amaro montenegro, lemon, club soda ($14).
- — Plum's The Word – chili infused tequila, fino sherry, passionfruit, cinnamon plum syrup, lime ($14).
- — La Hacienda – mezcal, scribe verjus, cucumber, velvet falernum, rosé vermouth, lime ($14).
Pricing: Signature cocktails $14 each; $1 off during happy hour.
Wine
Diverse wine list spanning sparkling, white, red, and dessert from Spain, Italy, France, and California. Includes a non-alcoholic Riesling option.
Menu strengths
- — Global selection with notable picks like Albariño from Rias Baixas and Barbaresco from Piedmont.
- — Includes a non-alcoholic wine (Steinbock Riesling) for abstainers.
Standout selections
- — Albariño 'Lias Finas' – Bodegas y Viñedos Attis, Rias Baixas, Spain, 2024 ($62).
- — Barbaresco 'Basarin' – Angelo Negro, Piedmont, Italy, 2021 ($90).
Pricing: Bottles range from $46 to $95; wines by the glass available with $1 off during happy hour.
Beer
Solid craft beer list with local Minnesota options, including lagers, porters, sours, and a non-alcoholic pilsner. Happy hour deal adds value.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local craft breweries like Modist, Indeed, and Pryes.
- — Offers a non-alcoholic pilsner (Untitled Art) for designated drivers.
- — Happy hour special on Tap Hamms is a crowd-pleaser.
Standout selections
- — Indeed 'Mexican Honey Light' Lager – $7.
- — Untitled Art NA Pilsner – $6.
Pricing: Beers range from $4 to $9; happy hour features $3 Tap Hamms.
Nonalcoholic
Exceptional non-alcoholic program with crafted NA cocktails, NA wine, NA beer, and even a NA Jell-O shot. Also offers THC-infused beverages for adults.
Menu strengths
- — Wide variety: NA cocktails, wine, beer, and Jell-O shots.
- — Creative NA cocktail options like Ginger Phillips and NA Paloma.
- — Includes non-alcoholic Riesling and pilsner, making it inclusive.
Standout selections
- — NA Paloma – n/a grapefruit liqueur, citrus oleo saccharum, verjus, lime.
- — Ginger Phillips (NA) – lemon abstinence, ginger, fresno, orange.
- — Steinbock Non Alcoholic Riesling – $12.
Pricing: NA Riesling $12; NA pilsner $6; NA cocktail prices not listed.
Spirits
Spirits are showcased through creative cocktails, featuring tequila, mezcal, bourbon, gin, pisco, and aquavit. No dedicated spirits list exists.
Menu strengths
- — Brown Butter Bourbon offers a unique neat pour using Four Roses Small Batch.
- — Cocktail program demonstrates skilled use of diverse spirits.
Standout selections
- — Brown Butter Bourbon – Four Roses Small Batch, brown butter wash, served neat.
- — Pink Moon – gin, coconut aquavit, guava, blood orange, ancho chili, grapefruit, lime.
- — The All Inclusive – pisco, cinnamon bitters, lime, grapefruit.
Pricing: Cocktails using spirits are $14; no dedicated spirits list or pricing.
How it sits with the food
No food menu was in evidence, but the beverage program suggests pairings: the Spritz Salato's fino sherry and lemon would complement briny snacks, while the La Hacienda's mezcal and cucumber could stand up to spicy fare. The wine list's diverse regions offer flexibility for various dishes.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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