Wednesday Saves It, Nothing Else Does
Lansdowne / Tates Creek · Lexington · American Gastropub · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed June 4, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Drake's Lansdowne reads like someone grabbed whatever was on sale at the grocery store and called it a program. You've got TVs blasting, a crowd here for sushi rolls and burgers, and a wine list that mostly just gets out of the way. That's probably fine — but if you're here hoping for a thoughtful glass of something interesting, you're in the wrong place.
The list is 20-odd bottles deep and leans hard on grocery store staples — 14 Hands, Cupcake, Barefoot, Yellow Tail, Dark Horse. These are brands built for supermarket endcaps, not restaurant wine lists. There's no regional identity, no indie producers, no attempt to surprise anyone. California and Washington value-tier bottles dominate, with a few generic international labels rounding things out. The good news: you know exactly what you're getting. The bad news: what you're getting isn't very exciting.
Around 8-12 pours are available by the glass in the $7-$11 range, which is at least honest for what the list is. The selection mirrors the bottle list — familiar brands, easy-drinking styles, nothing that'll make you pause. Rotation appears minimal; this is a set-it-and-forget-it program.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay — $11/glass
KJ Chardonnay is the least offensive option here — it's a known quantity, widely liked, and at $11 a glass you're not getting burned too badly. It's the closest thing to a safe harbor on a list that's otherwise treading water.
Yellow Tail Shiraz
Nobody orders this on purpose, but if you're eating a spicy tuna roll or loaded nachos, a cold pour of Yellow Tail Shiraz actually does the job. It's fruity, low-fuss, and at these prices, you're not taking a big swing. Sometimes the floor is the move.
Barefoot Moscato
A $24 bottle of Barefoot Moscato — a wine that retails for $8 — is a 200% markup on something you'd feel embarrassed buying at a gas station. Hard pass. Order a cocktail or grab a beer.
14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon + Burger
14 Hands Cab is ripe, a little jammy, and just bold enough to stand up to a juicy Drake's burger. It's not a sophisticated pairing — it's a functional one, which is exactly the energy of this room.
Wednesday — Drake's participates in Bluegrass Hospitality Group's mid-week wine special — half-price bottles on Wednesdays, with some brand and price exceptions. Best night to engage with the list.
❌ The Bottom Line
Drake's isn't a wine destination and doesn't pretend to be. The list is overpriced grocery store staples, and the only reason to engage with it at all is Wednesday's half-price bottle deal — that's when a $30 bottle of 14 Hands starts to make sense. Otherwise, order a cocktail and enjoy the chaos.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.