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Wine Steals

Based on 172 votes
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Local(619) 295-1188

1243 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

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Listing
Wine Steals
Local(619) 295-1188

1243 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103

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User Reviews of Wine Steals

So so

Typical local wine bar I guess. If you're looking for a nice place to have a glass of expensive wine and not be in the middle of Downtown, this is it. Just go before 10, when all the partygoers show up.
kudzu.com - user review - 11/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Christina W.

4.0 of 5 stars. This place is great for wine, OK for food. Their cheese plate (or is it a board?) is a little bit boring but you get a lot for the price. They have a great happy hour and I enjoy that they are…
yelp.com - user review - 09/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Brian A.

3.0 of 5 stars. All my "friends" are going to ask why am I reviewing this place when 1. I don't drink wine.
yelp.com - user review - 09/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by cayce m.

4.0 of 5 stars. I love this place! I have been going for two years now and the only bad thing is that when it gets packed.. .it can tend to get a little loud. But- what can expect with great wine and great food! The…
yelp.com - user review - 09/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Melody P.

4.0 of 5 stars. I drove here with my cousin from Santa Monica to meet up with our San Diego cousins. I think this place is fantastic if your in the mood to just ChiLL and spend time with peeps you love to kick it…
yelp.com - user review - 09/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Antonio G.

3.0 of 5 stars. Group of screaming/singing drunk girls in one corner - check. Hipster in trucker hat and tight John Deere shirt trying to impress his date - check.
yelp.com - user review - 09/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by M E.

5.0 of 5 stars. Love the atmosphere, love the selection - the servers could be friendlier...check it out. I like this location more than the one in Liberty Station. Parking can be painful b/c of the area.
yelp.com - user review - 09/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Charlie S.

5.0 of 5 stars. I love this place! Really the one in Liberty Station is my favorite! They always have great wines by the glass, which change every couple of weeks. Then they sell their bottles at retail prices,…
yelp.com - user review - 09/08/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tunkanator T.

4.0 of 5 stars. I'd really give it a 3.5. I love the concept. Hate the seating. I always come out with a really great buzz and an appetite for mexican food next door.
yelp.com - user review - 09/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Nick T.

5.0 of 5 stars. Sarah S. rocks, if it wasnt for her I would've been in line forever to place my pizza order and my wine.
yelp.com - user review - 08/31/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Mason T.

4.0 of 5 stars. Wine Steals is usually empty or packed when I go. There is no inbetween. During the day I grab a late lunch hour brew and chat with the bartenders or one of the few daytime regulars hanging out. At…
yelp.com - user review - 08/31/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by wendy d.

5.0 of 5 stars. Absolutely love this place! My girlfriend and I have been coming here ever since we discovered it and have never been let down. This is a great place to hang out, chill, and just relax over some wine…
yelp.com - user review - 08/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tina C.

2.0 of 5 stars. I really really wanted to like this place and maybe if I go back it will be better if it is less crowded. But I have to tell you I went with a guy friend and as he was getting up to get me champagne…
yelp.com - user review - 08/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Stacy S.

5.0 of 5 stars. I am completely obsessed with this place since being introduced to it just a few weeks ago. The white sangria is the best I have ever had, but don't count on getting a glass on a Friday night (post…
yelp.com - user review - 08/22/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Amanda S.

4.0 of 5 stars. Who-hoo! I have only been to wine steals twice...once for cheese and once for wine. Neither were dissapointments. They have amazing cheese which can get pricey but they have really interesting and…
yelp.com - user review - 08/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Amber K.

4.0 of 5 stars. This place is good times. I love Hillcrest. Everyone is more chill and knows how to have a good time.. friendly, happy people! I sat at one of the high round tables with bar stools and was enviously…
yelp.com - user review - 08/18/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Lety M.

5.0 of 5 stars. The Two loves of my life, CHOCOLATE and a nice Spanish RED!!! nuf said!
yelp.com - user review - 08/18/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Francis P.

2.0 of 5 stars. Well, on first visit, I am not overly impressed. I am going to visit again, though. Let me get into what left me nonplussed... People, I know it's a wine bar. I know that some of the visitors are young…
yelp.com - user review - 08/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Chris Y.

5.0 of 5 stars. It's been almost a year since I first ventured to Wine Steals. I've really become a loyal customer and I am very happy with the experience everytime I'm there. Andrew, Ryan, Jenny, and Jacob are…
yelp.com - user review - 08/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Andrea R.

5.0 of 5 stars. I know...the music is loud. I know...it's always packed. I know...that I love Wine Steals anyway. Look, I'm close enough to stumble home, and I feel like this place is my "Cheers." Everybody knows…
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by laurie c.

2.0 of 5 stars. I used to like this place... it was a nice chill place to hang out for a couple hours. Perfect place to meet a gfriend or two, hang out, have a couple glasses of wine, and chat. Now the place is sooo…
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Eddie P.

4.0 of 5 stars. Holy crap there's a lot of wine here. Their wall lists wines from every region on earth. Their wine specials are pretty fantastic. The food is also equally fantastic for a wine bar. The ambiance is…
yelp.com - user review - 08/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Maureen C.

3.0 of 5 stars. I used to really like this place (4 stars) when it was newer, a few years ago. Now, not such a fan. Yes, happy hour glasses are well priced ($5) but they're usually horrible wines.
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Zoe R.

3.0 of 5 stars. Great selection and pricing on wine. Minus one star for not having prices on all bottles and not being able to sell wines to me that I wanted to purchase because of the disorganization of the…
yelp.com - user review - 08/06/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Leann O.

3.0 of 5 stars. This place has a good happy hour, however, the staff are sometimes lame, seating is unavailable, and the patrons are kind of bridge and tunnel (though there are neither bridges nor tunnels to…
yelp.com - user review - 08/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by C K.

3.0 of 5 stars. I'll be honest from the start, I haven't actually been inside wine steals in about a year, but I walk by there daily and had to comment. I've never really got this place, the decor is early 80's…
yelp.com - user review - 08/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Diego N.

3.0 of 5 stars. It takes 2 seconds to change the station on your cable radio. And 2 more to lower it so your patrons can hear each other. The music was loud AND consistently awful. The pizza and cheese platters…
yelp.com - user review - 08/04/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michelle P.

4.0 of 5 stars. I love wine steals. I'm kind of a novice wino so I appreciate their mix of reasonably priced bottles. (I am still working on being able to tell the difference between a nine dollar bottle and a 20…
yelp.com - user review - 08/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michael P.

4.0 of 5 stars. So this is my first Yelp Review. I am on this site all the time but have not displayed my own voice to the world until now. My first Yelp reveiw shall be for Wine Steals in Hillcrest. I am a guy who…
yelp.com - user review - 07/31/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Audrey j.

3.0 of 5 stars. really cute place for a casual evening out or a hot date. Just wish they had more staff, kinda gross when you are trying to have a romantic time and you are staring at other peoples empty & dirty…
yelp.com - user review - 07/31/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Barbara S.

5.0 of 5 stars. I Absolutely loved this place. I came here with some friends the other day during the daytime and had a great experience. I wasn't sure what kind of wine I wanted and the staff was really friendly and…
yelp.com - user review - 07/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Leslie B.

3.0 of 5 stars. Trendy wine bar turned loud pizzaria. Ok....not really that bad. I like this place, but enjoyed it much more a few years ago.
yelp.com - user review - 07/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Stephen B.

5.0 of 5 stars. This place is exceptional, especially for happy hour. A couple of excellent glasses of red, normally $8.50 per glass, for $3 apiece. Convivial atmosphere, good mixed crowd, relaxed vibe... and…
yelp.com - user review - 07/29/2008
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Great selection

I like places like this that offers a alternative than bars. They have great appetizers with a lovely glass of red.
kudzu.com - user review - 07/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kristy H.

4.0 of 5 stars. Went here this past weekend with 4 friends and it was a great time. We ordered the EVERYTHING plate (cheese, meat, olives, etc.) and it was pretty tasty. My only complaint would be the bread wasn't…
yelp.com - user review - 07/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Buffy S.

2.0 of 5 stars. i have been going to wine steals for a long time but lately i have experienced some really bad service. i sat at the bar for at least 10 min without a bartender even making any eye contact. i…
yelp.com - user review - 07/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by benito d.

4.0 of 5 stars. Good wines by the glass. Decent pizza. Fun place to hang out with friends and people watch. A big because you can do all of this while smoking on their patio. Would be 5 stars if their service…
yelp.com - user review - 07/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Matthew W.

3.0 of 5 stars. Both the University Ave and Point Loma locations are fantastic... a great time and a great price. This (University Ave) location is a bit more crowded than the Point Loma Location but still just much…
yelp.com - user review - 07/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Renata K.

4.0 of 5 stars. I love this place for many reasons: awesome $5 tastings on Tuesdays (Point Loma location is Wednesdays I think), great happy hour, and a huge selection of wines. Their food is good and priced well.…
yelp.com - user review - 07/24/2008
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Best wine bar in town

Cheese board is to die for. Haven't tried the pizzas, but they look delicious. Great variety of wines to try and buy for a good value.
kudzu.com - user review - 07/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Pete C.

2.0 of 5 stars. I went to Wine Steals on Tuesday for the first time in close to a year. I'd been several times since it opened and had slowly developed a negative impression of it and was hoping that maybe this time…
yelp.com - user review - 07/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Barbara E.

5.0 of 5 stars. LOVE IT! I have been here several times and will continue to come back. Their cheese plates are amazing and the wine selection is, well, amazing. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, so…
yelp.com - user review - 06/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sarah S.

5.0 of 5 stars. And now I work here. Bartending, wha-what? Come and I will suggest something nice to go with your cheese plates!
yelp.com - user review - 06/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tansy W.

2.0 of 5 stars. Wine Steals? Not really,,,,,,,after being accosted by an employee to order a glass of wine immediately upon sitting down, we were shocked to find he had recommened a $14 glass without so much as a…
yelp.com - user review - 06/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Tien N.

5.0 of 5 stars. It's a great low-key hangout spot if you ever want to share an intimate moment with someone else--or you can invite a group of friends out and get drunk for cheaper than you would at a normal bar.…
yelp.com - user review - 06/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sharon R.

3.0 of 5 stars. If you want to shout at a friend as a way of having a conversation while you're enjoying a glass of wine, then this is the place... Loud, loud, loud. Wine selection is always interesting; Greg and…
yelp.com - user review - 06/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sunny Bunny J.

4.0 of 5 stars. I was introduced to a lovely new Pinto Grigio here. For that, I appreciate the gal behind the counter. For her "I am too cool for this" attitude, I do not. When she said goodbye at the end of her…
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by andy s.

1.0 of 5 stars. Pick up joint mascarading as a wine bar. You'll find a ton of wines here that you'll find nowhere else... coz no other wine bar is dumb enough to sell them.
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by phoebe r.

4.0 of 5 stars. great selection of wine! even the inexpensive stuff tasted great. there is a plethora of seating and although it was packed it didnt feel like it everything is spaced perfectly. it has a comfy coffee…
yelp.com - user review - 06/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Katie F.

4.0 of 5 stars. I end up at Wine Steals fairly often, because so many of my friends love wine and this is their favorite wine bar in San Diego. I personally don't drink wine, so I can't really give a review on that,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/15/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jessica C.

5.0 of 5 stars. I adore this place. Awesome atmosphere -- you feel like you are in a nicely lit wine cellar, with wooden barrels everywhere and floor to ceiling wine racks lining the back walls. The place smells of…
yelp.com - user review - 06/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by S H.

5.0 of 5 stars. Came here last week when it was raining, it was perfect because it's so cozy inside! Sat at the bar, the 2 male servers I encountered were super nice & helpful in picking wine. My friend & I shared the…
yelp.com - user review - 06/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Joe W.

4.0 of 5 stars. I happen to love this place, although I'll say straight out it's not a place for wine snobs. If your expecting 5 star stuff, check your ego and expectations at the door. If your not on the other hand,…
yelp.com - user review - 06/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jennine E.

5.0 of 5 stars. Great wine, Great atmosphere, Great Pizza, and Great Cheese....Nothing else needs to be said. Mondays are the best....no corkage fees....
yelp.com - user review - 05/31/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Camden Y.

4.0 of 5 stars. Whenever I want to splurge a little on some wine, I come to Wine Steals. And by splurge, I mean anything over two dollars a bottle. On very special nights, we decide to take a break from our good…
yelp.com - user review - 05/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by rianne d.

5.0 of 5 stars. Another night out with friends and tonight we chose Wine Steals. By the time I showed up, the gang was already starting in on the wines and the food had just arrived. Many different kinds of wines to…
yelp.com - user review - 05/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by jasmine e.

4.0 of 5 stars. I've only been to one wine bar in San Diego but I keep coming back to this one! It has a great atmosphere, I love the selection. Their weekend tastings are the best deal in town! I think they could…
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by James D.

2.0 of 5 stars. Is it great for social occasions? Yes.....but thats about it. Its a great place for non-wine snobs or people that just want to avoid bars entirely. The environment here is fun and very social.
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by kimberly m.

3.0 of 5 stars. It's really strange, but nothing particular stands out about this place, yet somehow I keep coming back, like a horse to a trough. The ambience: it's charming enough with it's wine barrel tables and…
yelp.com - user review - 05/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kelsey B.

5.0 of 5 stars. Wine Steals was such a great find! They have tons of wines to try, and a nice, friendly staff patient enough to deal with a wine newbie like myself. All I wanted was something "super sweet and not…
yelp.com - user review - 05/26/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Chris B.

4.0 of 5 stars. Fun spot to get wine. Although it was more crowded and "bar like" than the typical wine bar I've been to, I found the vibe and energy fun and enjoyed the Pinot Noir I ordered. Good place for groups.
yelp.com - user review - 05/24/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Leigh M.

4.0 of 5 stars. Great place to grab a drink and hang out. Solid wine list and a cool space. We went on a Thursday night and the place was packed, so it was a bit loud and we had to stalk some people getting ready to…
yelp.com - user review - 05/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Suzanne K.

1.0 of 5 stars. Funny how a mere 30 seconds can take a place from "meh" to "only if I was f*cking dying of thirst...and maybe not even then." Long story short(er) - we'd been to WS a few times in the past. Liked it…
yelp.com - user review - 05/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Ashley U.

3.0 of 5 stars. my roommate and i stumbled upon wine steals by accident. (we were actually on our way to yog-ART for their free wiFi, just a couple doors down). but people were drinking and having fun, so we decided…
yelp.com - user review - 05/13/2008
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Comes with a Price

Wine Steals, while offering a great selection of wines and quality food, comes with a price. Always more crowded than seems necessary, it's hard to find a seat (let alone a TABLE). Many staff behind the bar...
kudzu.com - user review - 05/12/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Michael N.

2.0 of 5 stars. Ok so the pizza was ok. The fact that they won't take phone orders I could almost live with if they could actually bring out a glass of wine so I could enjoy it as I waited. By the time the wine…
yelp.com - user review - 05/10/2008
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Perfect Place for Happy Hour

Wine Steals is a great place to go for wine and cheese. During their happy hour they have a great list of wines sold by the glass for $3. You can order a fruit, cheese and meet platter or their pizza is served...
kudzu.com - user review - 05/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by BRIAN K.

3.0 of 5 stars. Had a great time here. It's not so much the wine, service or food but rather the person (or people) you are with. The atmosphere is nice too. It's really casual and not pretentious at all. And people…
yelp.com - user review - 05/01/2008
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Happy Hour

Wine Steals has great happy hour specials, not to mention an amazing selection of wines! The cheese and fruit plates are huge and a perfect complement to your wine tasting. It's a great place to sit and talk...
kudzu.com - user review - 04/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Charmane E.

4.0 of 5 stars. It was my first time at this place and we were celebrating a friend's birthday. They have a cool deal for every day of the week, but we were there on a Saturday. The deal they had for Saturdays was…
yelp.com - user review - 04/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Meagan S.

5.0 of 5 stars. I must admit, I am a regular at the Hillcrest Location. Every Wednesday you will catch us on the patio, enjoying some wine with our dogs (no the dogs don't drink!). This is a great little wine bar…
yelp.com - user review - 04/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Carina F.

3.0 of 5 stars. 3.5 stars for Wine Steals. I have been here many times, and most recently I went here for Taste of Hillcrest. I like going to Wine Steals because it's fairly large, there is a private room in the…
yelp.com - user review - 04/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by critiCALmass L.

3.0 of 5 stars. I go to wine bars to discover and enjoy boutique varietals paired with delectable sides in a chatty and relaxed atmosphere. Wine Steals delivers a fun atmosphere, but not the rest for some basic…
yelp.com - user review - 04/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Stewart C.

3.0 of 5 stars. Mostly overrated I think, but interesting flights. Good selection of Zinfindels.
yelp.com - user review - 04/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Brianna N.

4.0 of 5 stars. This place is just fun to hang out and drink wine. The cheese platters are delicious. The people are friendly and cool. Mot a romantic spot for couple because it gets really rowdy in there. Good food,…
yelp.com - user review - 04/16/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Nick T.

4.0 of 5 stars. When is this place not packed ? Its perpetually busy. I dont think I've ever seen it dead unless they just opened but it quickly fills up.
yelp.com - user review - 04/14/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by pierre b.

4.0 of 5 stars. I have been here a couple times and, while not the greatest wine bar ever, it definitely has its charm. Wednesdays are pretty good. Their pizza (which is Italian-style and well-made) is on sale for…
yelp.com - user review - 04/09/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by James A.

4.0 of 5 stars. This place is a lot of fun. I hadn't really been to a wine bar before but ordering by the glass while eating their good food... it was great. The crowd is mixed, so you won't forget you're in…
yelp.com - user review - 03/25/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sue S.

4.0 of 5 stars. Love this place. The best is on Sundays when they are unloading wines that they have opened.
yelp.com - user review - 03/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Leslie V.

4.0 of 5 stars. Pick a wine, any wine...there's so much to choose from and you won't spend all your money and wake up the next morning wondering who robbed you while you were drunk. Cool place...order a glass of your…
yelp.com - user review - 03/06/2008
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Hands down best wine bar in town

We've been going to Steals for almost 4 years now and have loved it from day one. They've grown quite a bit, which in turn changing a few things, but the one thing that never changed was the great deal for a...
kudzu.com - user review - 03/03/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Hank H.

3.0 of 5 stars. This place is cool. Its really understaffed though, and the bartenders seem to be a little annoyed with all the business. I'll wait but at least acknowledge my presence. Also, I'd pay a couple bucks…
yelp.com - user review - 02/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Mimi L.

4.0 of 5 stars. I held my birthday (won't tell for what age) party in the private room at Wine Steals and it was good times for everyone. The room is spacious, service was great, and the wine...well, you can't beat…
yelp.com - user review - 02/24/2008
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Wine, wine, wine!

My husband and I haven't had the chance to go here in a couple years, but we used to go frequently and loved it! They have tons of wines to taste and bread and cheese to go with it. Just a fun atmosphere, and...
kudzu.com - user review - 02/20/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Far N.

1.0 of 5 stars. Horrible Wine Bar. Third time visiting! Yes, it was busy. Yes, it was Monday.
yelp.com - user review - 02/18/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Albert W.

3.0 of 5 stars. Hipsters and wine snobs unite! This neighborhood wine bar is best described as "upscale affordable". With bottles usually around $15-$20, it's well balanced with some decent thin-crust pizza and…
yelp.com - user review - 02/15/2008
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Amazing!

For a fun and friendly happy hour, check out wine steals. Unique, different, and affordable, their selection will blow your mind. Their bartenders (well, more like wine pourers) are very knowledgable.
kudzu.com - user review - 02/15/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jodilyn H.

2.0 of 5 stars. My husband and I went to the one in Pt Loma and LOVED it. Classy vibe, great place, big patio, everything perfect. Then, we went to the on in Hillcrest and di NOT like it. We felt like we were back in…
yelp.com - user review - 02/07/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Corey B.

4.0 of 5 stars. Had read all sorts of good things about Wine Steals here and figured, as a semi-new (under one year) resident of Hillcrest, I needed to make the plunge. Anyway, the wife and I, along with two friends,…
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