Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileSafi Wine Bar
Cincinnati, OH · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Safi Wine Bar runs a bottle-centric wine list spanning Loire, Champagne, Mosel, and Mendoza, with prices from $35 to $77. A five-cocktail list leans on local spirits like Elijah Craig and Watershed gin. Guests praise the wine selection, especially the Sunday half-price bottle special, and the bar's non-alcoholic options are more than an afterthought.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Safi Manhattan—Elijah Craig bourbon, Cynar, and PX sherry at $16. For wine, the Gaston Chiquet Tradition 1er Cru Brut offers Champagne depth at $77. The St. Agrestis Phony Negroni ($11) is a convincing non-alcoholic alternative.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Wine drinkers looking for an approachable but global bottle list, especially those who like to explore orange wines like the Wonderwerk Big Orange. The non-alcoholic options make it welcoming for designated drivers and sober curious patrons.
- When should I go?
- Sundays, when the half-price wine special makes the already reasonable bottle prices more compelling. Evenings suit the cocktail list and small plates.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails run $16 for the Manhattan; others likely similar. Wine bottles range $35–$77, with the Sunday half-price special cutting that in half. Beers are $6–$7; non-alcoholic drinks from $4 to $11.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The wine list's range—from Cremant de Loire to Lambrusco to a California orange wine—signals a curator with curiosity. The Sunday half-price bottle special is a concrete draw, and the non-alcoholic program goes beyond soda water with a sparkling tea and a non-alcoholic negroni.
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
Five cocktails with creative ingredients and local spirits, including a bourbon-cynar-PX sherry Manhattan. Only one price is listed, limiting full value assessment.
Menu strengths
- — Uses local spirits like Elijah Craig bourbon and Watershed bourbon barrel gin, adding regional character.
- — Creativity in combinations like apricot and spicy ginger with gin, or Lillet and Licor 43 with vodka.
Standout selections
- — Safi Manhattan – Elijah Craig small batch, Cynar, PX sherry, bitters, $16
Pricing: Safi Manhattan $16; other cocktail prices not listed.
Wine
Extensive bottle list covering sparkling, white, orange, rosé, and red wines from France, Italy, Germany, Argentina, and California. Prices are reasonable, and Sunday half-price special adds value.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse selection across multiple countries and styles, from Cremant de Loire to Mosel Riesling.
Standout selections
- — Gaston Chiquet 'Tradition 1er Cru Brut' – Champagne, France, $77
- — Richter 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett' – Mosel, Germany, $50
- — Wonderwerk 'Big Orange' (1L) – California orange wine, $42
Pricing: Bottle prices range from $35 to $77; half-price wine special on Sundays.
Beer
Three local beers: a helles lager, a hazy IPA, and a non-alcoholic pilsner. Prices are fair, but the selection is limited.
Menu strengths
- — All three beers are from breweries, supporting local producers.
Standout selections
- — Mellotone Gold – helles lager, 5.0% ABV, $7
Pricing: Mellotone Gold $7; Rhinegeist Ghost Pils $6; Madtree Seeing Colors price not listed.
Nonalcoholic
A thoughtful non-alcoholic lineup: sparkling tea, non-alcoholic negroni, NA pilsner, coffee, and sparkling water.
Menu strengths
- — Offers a non-alcoholic cocktail alternative (Phony Negroni) that mirrors the bar's cocktail focus.
- — Includes local coffee from Deeper Roots, adding a touch.
Standout selections
- — St. Agrestis 'Phony Negroni' – non-alcoholic negroni, $11
- — Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company 'Lysegron' – sparkling tea
Pricing: Phony Negroni $11; NA Pilsner $6; Coffee $5; Sparkling Water $4 (12 oz) / $9 (28 oz).
Spirits
Spirits are present only in cocktails, with no dedicated list or by-the-pour offerings. The brands used are quality, but the program is not standalone.
Menu strengths
- — Cocktails feature spirits from well-regarded producers like Elijah Craig and Watershed.
Pricing: No standalone spirits pricing; spirits appear only as cocktail ingredients.
How it sits with the food
Menu includes snacks and small plates, but no specific pairing suggestions are documented. The wine list's variety suggests flexible matches: Sancerre with goat cheese, Lambrusco with cured meats, and the KungFu Malbec with hearty plates.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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