Ellington's Mid Way Bar & Grill
When the Wine List is an Afterthought
Nashville · Nashville · American Bar & Grill
Reviewed March 2, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
The wine list at Ellington's reads like a convenience store cooler got ambitious. It's the kind of lineup where you know exactly what you're getting before you even open the menu—and not in a good way.
Selection Deep Dive
We're looking at the usual suspects: mass-market California Chardonnay, basic Pinot Grigio, maybe a Malbec if you're lucky. No regional diversity, no interesting producers, nothing that suggests anyone put thought into this beyond calling the Sysco rep. The list feels like it was assembled in 2008 and hasn't been touched since. If you're hoping for anything beyond Barefoot and Josh Cellars territory, you're in the wrong place.
By the Glass
The by-the-glass program is functionally nonexistent in any meaningful way. You'll find the standard quartet: a white that's aggressively neutral, a red that tastes like oak chips, maybe a Prosecco that's seen better days. No rotation, no seasonal adjustments, no one caring enough to open something interesting.
Stella Rosa Rosso — $28
It's sweet, it's approachable, and at least you know what you're getting—though you're still overpaying by about $15
House Merlot
Not because it's good, but because it's likely the least marked-up thing on the list and pairs fine with a burger
Any California Chardonnay over $35
You're paying restaurant markup on bottom-shelf juice—buy a cocktail instead
Budweiser + Classic Burger
Honestly, stick to beer here—it's what this place does well, and the wine program isn't going to enhance your meal
❌ The Bottom Line
Ellington's is a bar that happens to have wine, not a place that cares about it. Order the draft beer, enjoy the grill menu, and save your wine budget for literally anywhere else.
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