A Denver wine bar known for giving equal attention to its bottle list and music playlist has earned a nod as one of the best in the country.
Wine Spectator recently published a list of its — with a few international standouts — and it includes at Union Station. The publication recognized 38 wine bars in all.
Opened in 2019, Sunday Vinyl, at 1803 16th St., comes from the team behind Italian restaurants Tavernetta in Denver and Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, the latter of which has earned multiple James Beard Awards, most recently in 2024, as well as a Michelin star. Inspired by Japanese listening rooms, Sunday Vinyl has a large selection of records that staff play to accompany the wine-drinking experience.
Wine Spectator assistant editor Julia Larson lauded the swanky spot for its unique approach to curation, whether that be the bar’s Wednesday night flights paired with music or its menu that categorizes styles by their taste and texture.
“Mersault and Verdejo are categorized together under ‘Aromatic, Textural and Rotund’ whites, while Côte-Rôtie and Portuguese Baga are filed under ‘Spicy, Mineral and Crunchy’ reds,” she wrote. “But this is more than a place to sink into a chair with a glass of ‘Pale and Ethereal’ Pinot Noir while Jimi Hendrix plays: Enjoy bites from the menu by chef Cody Cheetham, with dishes like Iberico pork lacquered in a Sherry gastrique, or the gnocchi parisienne, served with a ratatouille accented with preserved lemons.”
This isn’t the first time Sunday Vinyl has garnered national acclaim. Last year, it was named one of the nation’s best bars — period — by writers at Esquire magazine. Wine Spectator has also consistently included it on the magazine’s annual Restaurant Awards list, which honors hospitality establishments with robust wine selections.
To see the full list of wine bars, .
