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About The Wine Room
The Wine Room is a wine bar at 520 Ramona Street, half a block off University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto. Its main selling point is simple: it is open from 4 p.m. to midnight every day. In a town where many kitchens close around 9 p.m., that makes it one of the few places downtown to sit down with a glass late in the evening.
The owner, Michael Garcia, explains the idea on the bar's website. He wanted a relaxed, grown-up lounge for people in their thirties, forties and fifties, rather than a formal tasting bar or a restaurant that sends you home when the kitchen closes. His pitch is that you should be able to just have a glass of wine. He calls it a friendly neighborhood lounge that only serves wine.
The wine list
The list is not limited to one region or price range. The bar says it wants guests to taste wines from all over the world and judge for themselves rather than lean on critics' scores. The by-the-glass list runs from sparkling wine to whites, rosé and reds. Recent selections include Champagne and Franciacorta, a Grüner Veltliner from Austria, a Loureiro from Portugal's Vinho Verde, a white Crozes-Hermitage and French and California Chardonnay. The bottle list goes deeper into California Pinot Noir and Cabernet, Oregon's Willamette Valley and Burgundy. Lists change with what the bar buys, so ask what is open.
Food
The kitchen keeps things light. Its menu of plates to share includes a rotating selection of domestic and imported cheeses, charcuterie with pâté and cornichons, burrata with tomato confit, a Spanish plate with manchego and prosciutto, a hot French onion dip with Gruyère, handmade beef empanadas, a Mediterranean toast with hummus and feta, goat cheese with a spicy fig jam, marinated olives, house-made hummus with warm flatbread and roasted almonds. A hot pastrami melt off the panini press is the most filling item. There is also a dessert menu. The food is designed to go with wine rather than replace dinner.
The space
The bar's private party page describes its back room, which it calls the Living Room, as warm and comfortable. It has couches, high back chairs, coffee tables, ottomans, banquettes and a wood burning fireplace. That lounge feel is the point of the place. It suits a long conversation more than a quick drink.
Private parties
The Wine Room rents out space for events. The back room holds up to 25 people and works for corporate gatherings, birthdays, club meetings, engagement parties and showers. For bigger groups, the entire bar can be booked for up to 80 guests, which the bar suggests for holiday parties, receptions and company events. It quotes each event individually, so fill out the form on the website or contact its events and catering coordinator.
Who it suits
The Wine Room is aimed at adults who want to linger. It suits a late glass after dinner, a relaxed meeting with a friend or a small group that wants couches rather than bar stools. The plates make a light supper but not a full meal. Groups planning an event can deal directly with the bar's staff: its website lists Eddie Valle as manager and Marci Breitling as the contact for events and catering. The bar's site also links to its Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts, where it posts events.
Tips for visiting
Because it stays open until midnight, The Wine Room is a natural last stop after dinner downtown or a show nearby. It closes on major holidays, so check before a holiday evening. Ramona Street is a short walk from the Palo Alto Caltrain station. Evening parking downtown is usually easier than at lunch. The bar's events page lists themed nights when they are scheduled.
For more ideas, see our bars, wine and beer guide and our date night ideas. Our downtown Palo Alto guide covers what else is around Ramona Street.
Location and getting there
The Wine Room is at 520 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area of Palo Alto. Our Downtown guide covers what else is around.
The Palo Alto Caltrain station is less than a quarter mile away, a walk of a few minutes.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
Hours
| Every day | 4 p.m. to midnight |
|---|
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.
What is nearby
- Forest Spa Boutique, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- Marvel Cake, bakery or dessert shop, under 0.1 mi
- Fjällräven, studio or gym, under 0.1 mi
- Coupa Cafe, cafe, under 0.1 mi
- Verizon University Avenue, shop, under 0.1 mi
- University Avenue, under 0.1 mi
- Lytton Plaza, under 0.1 mi
- Cogswell Plaza, 0.1 mi
Other bars and pubs nearby: The Rose & Crown (under 0.1 mi); Bar Underdog (1.6 mi). Browse the full bars and pubs list.
Before you go
- Bring a valid photo ID. California bars check identification for anyone who looks under 30 or so.
- Last call in California is 2 a.m. at the latest, though many Palo Alto bars close earlier.
- Caltrain and rideshare are the easy ways home. Check the last train times on caltrain.com before you go out.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against The Wine Room official website; The Wine Room: Contact; The Wine Room: Private parties. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is The Wine Room in Palo Alto?
The Wine Room is at 520 Ramona Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Downtown area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 0.2 miles away.
What are The Wine Room's hours?
The Wine Room posts hours of 4 p.m. to midnight every day and says it closes on major holidays. Check the website before a holiday visit.
Does The Wine Room serve food?
Yes. It serves light plates meant for sharing, such as a cheese selection, charcuterie, burrata with tomato confit, a Spanish tapas plate, hot French onion dip, beef empanadas, hummus with flatbread and a hot pastrami melt, plus desserts.
Can I book The Wine Room for a private party?
Yes. The bar rents its back room, a lounge with couches and a wood burning fireplace, for up to 25 people. The entire venue can be booked for up to 80. Inquiries go through the contact form on its website.
What are The Wine Room's hours?
Every day: 4 p.m. to midnight.