Amidst the bustling traffic in El Cerrito, there's a hidden gem and a recent addition to the area. Blink and you'll miss it. Even during a brief pause at a stop light when there's a chance to look around, it's highly probable that you'll still miss it. There's no signage on the building itself, so look for the wine barrels sitting on the sidewalk as your clue, or perhaps you'll spot their small sandwich board just outside their front door. Find parking somewhere near 10368 San Pablo Avenue, the address to Banter, a wine bar with a warm atmosphere, welcoming decor, and communal tables. Offering a curated selection of old and new world wines, Banter focuses on small producers who prioritize minimal intervention from vineyard to bottle. On location, you can purchase a bottle from the shelves to enjoy at home or savor a glass (or bottle) in-house. If you need something to eat while you're there, choose from various delicious snacks including cheese, charcuterie, and other tasty treats. During the pandemic, while drinking wine and eating cheese in their backyard, owners Claire and Devin were inspired to open a wine bar, but they wanted their wine bar to feel like "home," - comfy, casual, no frills, just...chill. A collection of cozy couches in the back creates an ambiance reminiscent of enjoying a drink in the living room of your most stylish friend. Classic VHS tapes and 80's knick-knacks are precariously stacked high next to small vintage TVs playing films that will take you back in time. When I was last there the original Flash Gordon was playing. You probably won't get to hear any of the movie dialogue because the bar is spinning LPs from an ever-expanding vinyl collection, fueled by contributions from patrons. A pinball machine in the back room adds to the decor's nostalgic charm and provides an entertaining distraction between pours. With a partial kitchen, Banter partners with local talent and the community to create new opportunities by featuring "pop-ups" - temporary restaurants that allow chefs and restaurateurs to try out a new neighborhood, experiment with their menu, generate a following, or just get some great experience for their staff. During my most recent visit, I got a front-row seat at the bar to witness Chef Emmanual from the restaurant Bolita work his magic with fresh masa, a must-have ingredient at the center of all his signature dishes. Most notable was the Tamal de Calabaza which featured squash masa, mole negro tamal, roasted kabocha, and cashew crema. A nice compliment was the Papas Rositazadas, simple roasted potatoes with black garlic aioli. Both were deliciously elevated and beautifully plated for such a casual environment. Unfortunately by the time you read this Bolita would have moved on to their next location but you can track them down on their website at www.bolitamasa.com. Banter will continue to feature pop-ups and to find out what's in store next visit their location or follow their Instagram @banter_winebar. As temporary as the pop-up food concept is, Banter is hopefully here for good as they focus on what's most important, which is most fittingly stated by the intentionally sloppy, hand-painted sign in front, "Bad Signs, Good Wigns!"
Kris B.
Good cheese plate, good wines, relaxing atmosphere. When I'm in El Cerrito about once a month to help out my parents, I need wine. I was a little upset that they are closed on Sundays but I get it, the owners want a day off. Luckily, right down the street is Scene Wine Bar for those Sunday wine needs. Banter has some unique wines. I wanted to like the Richmond white blend but it's not for me, tasted too young and green. A Trebbiano d'Abruzzo from Italy was better. More importantly than the wine, a comfortable place to hang out with my good friends to relax and talk.
Scs S.
My wife and I love Banter! It is so great to have a wine bar in the area. I love that Banter is really affordable too. You can get bottles easily in the 30-40 range which is so unusual around here. They also have a selection of other wines that you can pay a corkage fee to open if you don't want any of the current options. The staff is super nice and friendly. Only con is that they have gotten increasingly more busy (which is great!) but it can be hard to find a seat. So happy to have Banter in the area!
Max Stanton
What a welcome addition to El Cerrito! Friendly staff, lots of different styles of seating (communal, couch, stool, bar), and a heavy focus on natural (sometimes natty) wine.Food rating based on the latest pop up, keep in mind it is wine bar food format, so small, generally uncooked plates rather than full on dishes.Eclectic wine list, expect skin contact and bottle caps. We do find the majority of the wine offerings are very subtle and light bodied.Parking can be a bit tough, don't park in the lot next door! Or take BART!Now open on Tuesdays.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark R.
A wonderful addition to the El Cerrito community, where one can relax, sample some interesting wines and tasty bites, and even hear oneself a good part of the time.( if that's of interest) The charming and welcoming owners will be happy to guide you through the current wine selections, offer a taste to whet the palate and you may even wish to purchase one of the bottles displayed on the wall opposite the Bar. Please go if you haven't. I suspect you'll like it and may even become a regular!
Hanna B
Very cute northern east bay option. A nice balance of retro design. Good spot for a date cus you can hear your person. Wine is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Jaclyn D.
The place plays VHS Tapes and vinyl! Fell in love with it right away and the staff is so done to earth and friendly! Would highly recommend!
Kosa Goucher-Lambert
Great!
Nicole K.
My favorite wine bar! This is such a lovely, well decorated space to come to for a friendly glass or bottle. Claire and Devin are both extremely knowledgeable and fun to chat with about what's on their carefully crafted wine list. The snacks never disappoint-- highly recommend the cheese plate and anchovies. Parking is easy and I also love that melodee is just around the corner.
Ethan Hulbert
As a wine guy, I love checking out local spots like this, and Banter definitely delivered. It was charming, equal parts cool and homey, good service, and great wine. Would recommend.
Great Service, Cool atmosphere, Fabulous wines. Will definitely return. Salty Pearl was the pop up & it was tasty (opening soon at JLS in Oakland. AKA Rocky Island Oyster Company)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Phil Dangler
AMAZING.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephen A.
Have been wanting to try this spot on SPA in El Cerrito. Cote du Rhone. Delicious cheese plate. Atmosphere. Now open Tuesday. I'll be back!
Caroline M.
This is our new favorite neighborhood spot! They have a great wine selection and are very knowledgeable about what they're serving. We love the vibe, too!
Gina G.
Thank you so much Banter Wine for opening in El Cerrito! Our community was looking for something a little different with a different pace/vibe and for years I'm sure on the tip of everyone's tongue was..we really need a wine bar! Well, you delivered! From the great pour value, awesome staff, cool ambience and delicious bites, we can't wait to continue to explore your menus & watch you continue to expand!
Amidst the bustling traffic in El Cerrito, there's a hidden gem and a recent addition to the area. Blink and you'll miss it. Even during a brief pause at a stop light when there's a chance to look around, it's highly probable that you'll still miss it. There's no signage on the building itself, so look for the wine barrels sitting on the sidewalk as your clue, or perhaps you'll spot their small sandwich board just outside their front door. Find parking somewhere near 10368 San Pablo Avenue, the address to Banter, a wine bar with a warm atmosphere, welcoming decor, and communal tables. Offering a curated selection of old and new world wines, Banter focuses on small producers who prioritize minimal intervention from vineyard to bottle. On location, you can purchase a bottle from the shelves to enjoy at home or savor a glass (or bottle) in-house. If you need something to eat while you're there, choose from various delicious snacks including cheese, charcuterie, and other tasty treats. During the pandemic, while drinking wine and eating cheese in their backyard, owners Claire and Devin were inspired to open a wine bar, but they wanted their wine bar to feel like "home," - comfy, casual, no frills, just...chill. A collection of cozy couches in the back creates an ambiance reminiscent of enjoying a drink in the living room of your most stylish friend. Classic VHS tapes and 80's knick-knacks are precariously stacked high next to small vintage TVs playing films that will take you back in time. When I was last there the original Flash Gordon was playing. You probably won't get to hear any of the movie dialogue because the bar is spinning LPs from an ever-expanding vinyl collection, fueled by contributions from patrons. A pinball machine in the back room adds to the decor's nostalgic charm and provides an entertaining distraction between pours. With a partial kitchen, Banter partners with local talent and the community to create new opportunities by featuring "pop-ups" - temporary restaurants that allow chefs and restaurateurs to try out a new neighborhood, experiment with their menu, generate a following, or just get some great experience for their staff. During my most recent visit, I got a front-row seat at the bar to witness Chef Emmanual from the restaurant Bolita work his magic with fresh masa, a must-have ingredient at the center of all his signature dishes. Most notable was the Tamal de Calabaza which featured squash masa, mole negro tamal, roasted kabocha, and cashew crema. A nice compliment was the Papas Rositazadas, simple roasted potatoes with black garlic aioli. Both were deliciously elevated and beautifully plated for such a casual environment. Unfortunately by the time you read this Bolita would have moved on to their next location but you can track them down on their website at www.bolitamasa.com. Banter will continue to feature pop-ups and to find out what's in store next visit their location or follow their Instagram @banter_winebar. As temporary as the pop-up food concept is, Banter is hopefully here for good as they focus on what's most important, which is most fittingly stated by the intentionally sloppy, hand-painted sign in front, "Bad Signs, Good Wigns!"
Good cheese plate, good wines, relaxing atmosphere. When I'm in El Cerrito about once a month to help out my parents, I need wine. I was a little upset that they are closed on Sundays but I get it, the owners want a day off. Luckily, right down the street is Scene Wine Bar for those Sunday wine needs. Banter has some unique wines. I wanted to like the Richmond white blend but it's not for me, tasted too young and green. A Trebbiano d'Abruzzo from Italy was better. More importantly than the wine, a comfortable place to hang out with my good friends to relax and talk.
My wife and I love Banter! It is so great to have a wine bar in the area. I love that Banter is really affordable too. You can get bottles easily in the 30-40 range which is so unusual around here. They also have a selection of other wines that you can pay a corkage fee to open if you don't want any of the current options. The staff is super nice and friendly. Only con is that they have gotten increasingly more busy (which is great!) but it can be hard to find a seat. So happy to have Banter in the area!
What a welcome addition to El Cerrito! Friendly staff, lots of different styles of seating (communal, couch, stool, bar), and a heavy focus on natural (sometimes natty) wine.Food rating based on the latest pop up, keep in mind it is wine bar food format, so small, generally uncooked plates rather than full on dishes.Eclectic wine list, expect skin contact and bottle caps. We do find the majority of the wine offerings are very subtle and light bodied.Parking can be a bit tough, don't park in the lot next door! Or take BART!Now open on Tuesdays.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A wonderful addition to the El Cerrito community, where one can relax, sample some interesting wines and tasty bites, and even hear oneself a good part of the time.( if that's of interest) The charming and welcoming owners will be happy to guide you through the current wine selections, offer a taste to whet the palate and you may even wish to purchase one of the bottles displayed on the wall opposite the Bar. Please go if you haven't. I suspect you'll like it and may even become a regular!
Very cute northern east bay option. A nice balance of retro design. Good spot for a date cus you can hear your person. Wine is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
The place plays VHS Tapes and vinyl! Fell in love with it right away and the staff is so done to earth and friendly! Would highly recommend!
Great!
My favorite wine bar! This is such a lovely, well decorated space to come to for a friendly glass or bottle. Claire and Devin are both extremely knowledgeable and fun to chat with about what's on their carefully crafted wine list. The snacks never disappoint-- highly recommend the cheese plate and anchovies. Parking is easy and I also love that melodee is just around the corner.
As a wine guy, I love checking out local spots like this, and Banter definitely delivered. It was charming, equal parts cool and homey, good service, and great wine. Would recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chardonnay
Restaurantji Recommends
Great Service, Cool atmosphere, Fabulous wines. Will definitely return. Salty Pearl was the pop up & it was tasty (opening soon at JLS in Oakland. AKA Rocky Island Oyster Company)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AMAZING.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have been wanting to try this spot on SPA in El Cerrito. Cote du Rhone. Delicious cheese plate. Atmosphere. Now open Tuesday. I'll be back!
This is our new favorite neighborhood spot! They have a great wine selection and are very knowledgeable about what they're serving. We love the vibe, too!
Thank you so much Banter Wine for opening in El Cerrito! Our community was looking for something a little different with a different pace/vibe and for years I'm sure on the tip of everyone's tongue was..we really need a wine bar! Well, you delivered! From the great pour value, awesome staff, cool ambience and delicious bites, we can't wait to continue to explore your menus & watch you continue to expand!