MJ's Wine Bar
Wednesday Nights Just Got a Lot Cheaper
Downtown · Portland · Wine Bar · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 8, 2026
Wingman Metrics
First Impression
Walking into MJ's, the wine list feels genuinely welcoming — not intimidating, not dumbed down. Fifty-plus bottles spanning Argentina, Spain, France, and Italy with over 30 by-the-glass options tells you this place wants to be your casual Tuesday (or Wednesday) night. The downtown Portland crowd clearly appreciates having somewhere that takes wine seriously without making you feel like you need a degree to order.
Selection Deep Dive
The list leans into approachable crowd-pleasers — your Catena Malbecs, your La Crema Chardonnays — which isn't a knock, it's a positioning choice. The Old World side brings in Spanish Garnacha and French and Italian representation that adds some texture to what could otherwise be a purely supermarket-familiar lineup. That said, don't come expecting obscure grower Champagnes or deep Burgundy rabbit holes; the list is built for breadth over depth. There are no glaring regional blind spots, but adventurous drinkers may hit the ceiling quickly.
By the Glass
Thirty-plus by-the-glass options is legitimately impressive and the main reason to come here. You can hop from a Mendoza Malbec to a Prosecco to a Rosé Brut in one sitting without committing to a bottle, which is exactly what a wine bar should let you do. The rotation doesn't appear to change aggressively, but the sheer volume means there's almost always something interesting to land on.
Duckhorn Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 — $22/glass
At 220% markup, this is the least-gouged pour on the list. Duckhorn Napa Cab retails around $60 a bottle, and getting it by the glass at $22 means you're actually accessing a serious wine without committing to a full bottle. In a sea of steep markups, this one stands out.
Spanish Garnacha
Most people at a wine bar like this default to the Malbec or the Chardonnay. The Spanish Garnacha is the overlooked pick — earthy, spicy, and built for food in a way the bigger New World reds aren't. Worth asking your server to point you toward whichever bottle they're pouring.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2022
At $8 a glass on a wine that retails for $12 a bottle, this is a 400% markup on a grocery store Riesling. It's a fine wine in its natural habitat — your kitchen — but it's the worst value on the list by a significant margin. Pass.
Catena Malbec 2022 + Charcuterie board
The Catena Malbec's plum and dark fruit profile cuts through the fat in cured meats while the acidity keeps things from getting heavy. It's the kind of pairing that works every single time — classic for a reason.
Wednesday — Half-price bottles all night on select wines. Rare and reserve bottles are excluded, but this is the move — come on a Wednesday and the value proposition flips entirely.
✔️ The Bottom Line
MJ's earns its place as a reliable downtown spot — a deep glass pour list and a legitimate Wednesday half-price bottle program do a lot of heavy lifting. Just know that the markups outside of Wednesday can be steep, so time your visit accordingly.
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