A great place to sit and drink in some local colour, no matter what city you’re in, is the local watering hole. These days, that means the wine bar. As our paradigms shift to a new economic reality, wine bars—with wines offered by the glass and sharable small plates—are affordable spots for an informal business meeting or an evening with friends.

Those in the restaurant biz seem to have sensed there’s a waning appetite and a shrinking wallet for big, multicourse meals, so wine or tapas-style bars are popping up across the country. Like their namesake inspiration in Spain, these informal eateries are friendly, fun and a great way to live like the locals.

So, even if your expense account has evaporated, take solace—and sustenance—at these top wine bars in British Columbia.

Stage Small Plates Wine Bar

Victoria, BC

The small plates at this wonderful neighbourhood spot are big enough to satisfy any appetite. Sister to chef George Szasz’s popular Paprika Bistro, Stage has the same hearty Hungarian thing going on from house-made charcuterie to duck confit with potato gratin, organic greens and grape vinaigrette to crispy fried local octopus and lemon and 17 wines by the glass. Pull up a bar stool, hang with the locals and find out what’s happening in Fernwood. (1307 Gladstone Ave.; 250-388-4222; stagewinebar.com)



Brix Restaurant and Wine Bar

Vancouver, BC

Tucked away like a little garden patio between soaring brick warehouse walls in Yaletown, Brix's hidden, glass-roofed atrium is perfect for lunch or late-night, rain or shine. The small plates menu here is a real bargain. Try the Albacore tuna niçoise salad with quail egg, slender green beans and fingerlings, mussels and frites, or the Qualicum Bay scallops wrapped in prosciutto with barbecue duck fried risotto. For vino, there are more than 60 wines by the glass. (1138 Homer St.; 604-915-9463; brixvancouver.com)



Cru

Vancouver, BC

Alana Peckham’s creative cuisine is the big draw at this South Granville neighbourhood haunt. Don’t miss the crisp duck confit with späetzle goat cheese hash, the Moroccan lamb chop with farro, eggplant and olives and the bargain $24 three-course lunch menu. (1469 West Broadway; 604-677-4111; cru.ca)

Uva Wine Bar

Vancouver, BC

This downtown Vancouver enclave in the funky Moda Hotel has all of the liquid bases covered, with fine wines, imported beers and eclectic examples of the growing West Coast cocktail culture. Pair your bevy with local charcuterie and artisanal cheeses. Keep an eye on Uva's website, which is updated daily, to see what’s on today’s menu. (900 Seymour St.; 604-632-9560; uvawinebar.ca)

Stay tuned for more wine bar recommendations in other provinces.

Related links:

Victoria's Art of the Cocktail

Element Urban Tapas Parlour

Guide to Family-Friendly Okanagan Winerines

September is California's Wine Month

Local Food in Cowichan Bay