Wine Bar
Unclaimed profileTallulah Wine Bar & Bistro
Birmingham, MI · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Tallulah Wine Bar & Bistro's cocktail list shows real ambition—Bangkok Banger pairs reposado tequila with lychee, and First Word leans into mezcal and green chartreuse. The wine program's dessert and fortified selections reach from Moscato di Pavia to Château de Fargues Sauternes 2009 and Fonseca Vintage Port 1997. Spirits span Louis XIII to amaros. A limited beer list and one nonalcoholic option round out the program.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Bangkok Banger, a reposado tequila and lychee cocktail with tropical bitters. For a spirit-forward choice, the First Word mixes mezcal, aperol, green chartreuse, and maraschino. Dessert wine fans should seek out the Sichel Sauternes 2018 by the glass.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts looking for inventive combinations and wine lovers with a taste for sweet or fortified styles will find much to appreciate.
- When should I go?
- An after-dinner stop suits the dessert wine and fortified wine focus, or a relaxed evening exploring the cocktail list. The bar's 'Barkeep's Choice' wine selection invites spontaneous tastings.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Cocktails range from $16 to $19. Dessert wines by the glass start at $12, while premium bottles like Château de Fargues Sauternes 2009 reach $280. Spirits vary from $9 for Frangelico to $295 for Louis XIII.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- A wine program that highlights dessert and fortified wines—including a 2009 Château de Fargues Sauternes and a 1997 Fonseca Vintage Port—sets it apart. The cocktail list's creative use of amaros and chartreuse shows a bartender's touch, complemented by a spirits collection spanning Louis XIII to Fernet Branca.
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 cocktail list with unique ingredients like lychee, mezcal, and green chartreuse. Standouts include Bangkok Banger, First Word, and Tallulah Sour.
Menu strengths
- — Inventive combinations using reposado tequila, lychee, mezcal, and chartreuse.
- — House specialties like Tallulah Sour and Taming of the Shrew show range.
Standout selections
- — Bangkok Banger: reposado tequila, lychee, fresh lime, tropical bitters, $17.
- — First Word: mezcal, aperol, green chartreuse, maraschino, lime, $19.
- — Tallulah Sour: averna, reposado tequila, fresh lemon, mint.
Pricing: Cocktails range from $16 to $19.
Wine
Wine program highlights dessert and fortified wines, including Sauternes and vintage ports. 'Barkeep's Choice' offers by-the-glass red and white.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive dessert wine list from Moscato to Sauternes.
- — Fortified wine selection includes Dow's and Fonseca vintage ports.
Standout selections
- — Château de Fargues Sauternes 2009, $280/bottle.
- — Château Climens 1er cru Sauternes 2007, $395/bottle.
- — Sandeman 40 Year Tawny Port, $40.
Pricing: Dessert wines range from $12/glass to $395/bottle; fortified wines from $12 to $45.
Beer
Limited beer list with five offerings including Michigan's Bell's Two Hearted and a non-alcoholic Weihenstephaner. No dedicated beer menu.
Menu strengths
- — Includes local favorite Bell's Two Hearted Ale.; Offers a non-alcoholic option from Weihenstephaner.
Pricing: Bell's Two Hearted Ale priced at $6.00.
Nonalcoholic
Only one non-alcoholic option: Weihenstephaner Non-Alcoholic beer. No mocktails or other NA beverages listed.
Pricing: No pricing evidence for non-alcoholic beer.
Spirits
Broad spirits selection covering cordials, liqueurs, cognacs, grappas, and amaros. Includes premium Louis XIII and classic amaros like Fernet Branca and Averna.
Menu strengths
- — Wide range from accessible liqueurs to luxury cognac.
Standout selections
- — Louis XIII Cognac, $295/1.5 oz.; Remy VSOP Cognac, $14.
Pricing: Spirit prices range from $9 (Frangelico) to $295 (Louis XIII).
How it sits with the food
The food menu's farm-to-table approach suggests pairings with the bistro's seasonal dishes. The dessert wines could accompany sweet courses, while the fortified ports might match cheese or chocolate. Cocktails like the Tallulah Sour with averna and mint could bridge savory and sweet.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
Community reviews
Anyone with a free Inebrious account can rate the drinks here. Community ratings are kept entirely separate from the Inebrious editorial score above.
No community reviews yet. Be the first to write one.