Blue Gene's
Karaoke, Cup Noodles, and a Malbec
Sugar House · Salt Lake City · Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 5, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Blue Gene's is exactly four bottles long, which sounds like a punchline until you remember this place has karaoke, drag shows, and arcade games — and suddenly four wines feels almost generous. This is not a wine destination. But it's also not pretending to be one, and there's something weirdly refreshing about that.
Selection Deep Dive
Four wines. That's it. A New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, a California Chardonnay from the gas station shelf, a Washington Riesling, and an Argentine Malbec. The range technically spans four countries, which sounds impressive until you notice three of these bottles are regulars at grocery store checkout lines. Barefoot Chardonnay on a wine list is a choice, and not the good kind. The Kungfu Girl Riesling from Charles Smith is the only bottle here that suggests anyone thought about it for more than thirty seconds.
By the Glass
All four bottles are available by the glass, which is 100% of the list — efficient, if nothing else. Pours run $6 to $9, which is honest money for a neighborhood bar. Don't expect rotation or seasonal thinking; what you see is what you get, indefinitely.
Kungfu Girl Riesling — $9/glass
Charles Smith's Kungfu Girl is a legitimate wine — bright, off-dry, with real personality. At $9 a glass in a bar where the alternative is Barefoot, it's the clear move.
Trapiche Alaris Malbec
Trapiche is a workhorse Argentine producer that consistently overdelivers at entry price points. In a bar context where nobody's expecting much from the wine list, this Malbec can genuinely surprise you — especially if you're eating something with beef.
Barefoot Chardonnay
Barefoot is fine in your kitchen on a Tuesday. Paying bar prices for it at a steakhouse-adjacent spot when the Riesling or Malbec are right there is a waste of the decision.
Trapiche Alaris Malbec + Hot Dog
Look, it's a $45 Malbec and a hot dog at a karaoke bar in Salt Lake City. The Malbec's dark fruit and easy tannins actually cut through the fat of the dog in a way that's genuinely fun, and the absurdity of the pairing is half the point.
🎲 The Bottom Line
Blue Gene's wine list is a grocery run, not a wine program — but at these prices, in this atmosphere, nobody's coming here for the Burgundy. Grab the Kungfu Girl Riesling, get on the karaoke waitlist, and stop overthinking it.
Comments
Get the Weekly Wingman
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.