As travelers spend more time in airports, officials running these facilities realize that they have a captive audience that is spending more time and money in terminals. So airports are stepping up by offering passengers more sophisticated fare. Many travelers like to have a drink before boarding their flight, and airports are designing great bars to help them do just that. Below are 10 great bars to try during your own travels.
1. Vino Volo
Drink world-class wines by the glass or a flight, eat savory snacks and sit at a roomy table with an outlet. What’s not to love? And bonus-you can buy their wines by the bottle and take them with you to your final destination. Vino Volo is located at 25 airports in North America.More »
2. Laurelwood Brew Pub
In 2006, this Portland, Oregon, favorite brewpub signed a deal with concessions operator SSP America to operate two locations at Portland International Airport. It serves a variety of craft beers on tap, along with food like sandwiches and burgers.More »
3. Vintage Washington Wine Bar
This is a nice little oasis at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. I like this bar because it showcases Oregon and Washington state wines. It also offers small bites such as cheese plates, seafood samplers, and comfort food.More »
4. La Bodega Winery
My family is from Texas, and they are quite fond of Texas wines. They’ve become a favorite for me too. And this little slice of paradise at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is a favorite for me. And don’t worry-if you’re scared to try Texas wines, they have a great selection of wines by the glass from around the world. More »
5. Beaudevin Wine Bar
This concept at Chicago O'Hare International Airport offers travelers a choice of more than 30 varieties of red, white and sparkling wines. The bar also features small food plates including Melon & Prosciutto, Charcuterie and Feta Meze. More »
6. Surdyk's Flights Wine Market & Bar
This outlet at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is an offshoot of the popular Surdyk's Liquor and Cheese Shop in the Twin Cities. The airport shop features more than 100 wines, along with accessories, gourmet foods, sandwiches and salads to take from a grab-and-go case. More »
7. Le Grand Comptoir Wine Bar
Created by SSP America, this wine bar has outlets in George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Newark-Liberty International Airport and JFK International Airport. The restaurant, which calls itself the new generation of airport wine bars, showcases more than 100 premium wines from around the world, with 50 vintages available by the glass. The bar features boutique selection of cocktails, handcrafted beers and specialty coffees. It also serves a small plates menu including chickpea and chorizo chili or brie and prosciutto sandwiches on freshly baked artisan bread. More »
8. Cibo Bistro and Wine Bar
I had an unexpectedly long layover once in Philadelphia International Airport when one of my fellow passengers told me about this place. It has a great wine selection by the glass and some really great bistro food. More »
9. Cigar City Brewpub
This local brewpub with an outlet at Tampa International Airport claims to be the nation’s only airport brewery. It featuring beers that are exclusive to the airport, along with Tampa-style Cuban food. Beers available include Jai Alai IPA, Improv Oatmeal Rye India-Style Brown Ale and Cubano-Style Espresso Brown Ale.More »
10. Squatters Airport Pub
This brewpub at Salt Lake City International Airport is an outlet of Squatters Pub Brewery, the city's original brewery restaurant. The airport location features a variety of ales and lagers brewed on site at Squatters' downtown location. The restaurant also serves food for breakfast, lunch, dinner, along with take-out eats. More »