Local Pours, Cold Beer, Zero Pretense
Downtown · Spokane · American Pub / Taphouse · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed April 28, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The Onion leads with 51 taps, and that's the point — this is a beer bar that also happens to have wine. The list is short, regional, and uncomplicated, which is exactly what you'd expect from a historic downtown taphouse with gourmet burgers on the menu. No one's coming here for a deep cellar experience, and that's fine.
The list runs 20-40 bottles and leans hard on Washington State, with Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Crest doing most of the heavy lifting. It's the Pacific Northwest's greatest hits playlist — approachable, food-friendly, and reliably drinkable. There's no real exploration here: no Walla Walla producers pushing boundaries, no Rhône blends or unexpected whites from Yakima. What you get is a tight, no-drama selection that works for the room and doesn't embarrass anyone.
Six to ten options by the glass keeps it manageable, and at $14.25 a pour, you're in standard casual-dining territory — not a steal, not a gouge. Don't expect much rotation; this list feels like it gets reviewed annually at best. Grab something Washington white and move on.
Columbia Crest Washington State White — $14.25
Columbia Crest consistently punches above its price point — it's one of Washington's best-value producers, and getting it by the glass in a casual taphouse setting is an honest pour for honest money.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Washington White
In a room full of people ordering IPAs, the Chateau Ste. Michelle white gets overlooked. It's one of the most food-versatile wines in the Northwest and holds its own against the kitchen's richer dishes.
California Red (generic)
When a Washington-focused list dips into California reds without any standout producers named, that's filler. The state makes excellent wine and The Onion's own backyard does it better — stay local.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Washington White + Original French Onion Soup
The savory depth of the French Onion Soup needs something crisp and slightly mineral to cut through the cheese and broth — a Washington white from Ste. Michelle does exactly that without fighting the dish.
✔️ The Bottom Line
The Onion isn't a wine destination, and it doesn't try to be — it's a reliable neighborhood taphouse where the beer list is the star and the wine list is a solid understudy. If you're with a group and someone needs a glass of wine while everyone else drinks craft beer, this works just fine.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.