Apero

Why, oh why has it taken me so long to check this place out?! I could have been coming here for months!!! Thank god I finally went because it is AMAZING. It is everything I hoped it would be and more. With a cozy interior, a beautiful back patio, and amazing wine and service, there truly isn't anything else you could ask for. The owner, Robert, was so kind and welcoming. He led my friend and I through a (complimentary!!!) mini-tasting to ensure we selected something that we loved. The only challenge was ultimately deciding on a selection, as everything we sampled was both unique and incredible. I seriously cannot praise this place enough. I wish I still lived down the street because I'd be there all the time! Actually who am I kidding? I will still be there all the time. What a gem.

Apero is a very welcome addition to the North Center neighborhood, a respite of wine and light fare in an area stifled with beer and bar food. We were impressed, though not surprised, with the vast wine list and quality, up there with mainstays like Webster's in Logan Square. The staff are all knowledgeable (though some more than others), able to guide you in whatever direction you'd like your journey to take you. We were glad to have complimentary hominy, as well as a delicious cheeseboard at a fairly reasonable price. Nice variety and quality, along with raspberries and lightly pickled veggies. Very good. The bar also offers a few cocktails, though they are limited with only a few spirits. The vibe is really great both inside and out - both times we've gone, we wish we would have been able to stay a little longer. And that's actually why I'm only going with 4 stars. The hours. Why can't we be open for happy hour toward the end of week and around noon on the weekend? We would have come here at least a dozen more times, but when you only open at 5pm, you're losing so much to the dinner crowd. Even opening a few hours beforehand would allow for a nice predinner drink and snack (and maybe more), rather than having a time limit before heading to the next spot. We like it here. We want to be here more often, there's a ton to like. But, would absolutely love more afternoon hours.

Absolutely OBSESSED with this cute little wine bar. I had seen it driving by and knew I needed to check it out. Quaint, very cute decor, excellent wine list and such kind staff. Unfortunately it was 90+ degrees when we visited so will have to come back and sit on the patio! I cannot recommend the Union Sacré orange wine enough. Come here asap!

The food and drinks here are good but I wish they'd do a last call before the kitchen closes. They seemed to forget about my table and I really wanted to order another item.

What is the difference between a wine bar and a bar that serves wine? In my opinion, it's the intent and execution. I go to a wine bar to be exposed to varietals, techniques and regions I'm not familiar with. I also want to be able to purchase flights or half pours to sample a few different things at each visit. And to make sure there's always something interesting to try, the offerings need to change pretty frequently (I really like wine in general and finding new things in particular). Finally, there needs to be some bites, snacks, food that are delicious, making it possible to consume freely without getting wasted. Food compliments the wine and vice versa, in a heavenly cycle.Guess what? Apero fits the bill! Great (friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable) service, rotating wines (and other beverages), a changing menu at reasonable prices. Comfortable interior, lovely patio, easy parking. A place to stop in for a pick me up (try the cheese plate and a glass of what's on draft) or to settle in for an afternoon of sips and nibbles. So happy they opened and I'm not even too bummed that it's often crowded. Check it out!!

We stopped in for after-dinner drinks a few weeks ago. As we walked in we noticed two cozy booths at the front that we would have liked to sit at. It seems like there was no dedicated host/hostess at the time so one of the staff behind the bar asked us to sit at a table a little farther back. That would have been fine, but it was near the open kitchen door, so we kept getting whiffs of bleach. So while it's good to know that their kitchen is clean, that's not an odor that pairs well with any wine. The wine menu was unremarkable (not bad, just nothing stood out). There was a nice selection of varieties and decent range of price points, although nothing is cheap anymore so prepare for that. At some point someone brought a little cup of nuts or something (that unfortunately had a hair in it, yuck!).I like the location and the fact that parking is easy, and I imagine this is a spot that will never be overly crowded. It also has a very quiet vibe, so I would like to come back for after-dinner drinks again and sit in the back patio.

We walked in without rsvp on Fri early evening. Very cute, well designed, corks for stools, lots of staff and friendly host. We were sat inside and met our young waitress who was having her first day. She told us about all the apps like mushroom bread sticks, olive sampler, pork belly potatoes and mixed sweet nuts. They also had charcuterie and cheese boards which were beautifully presented and had lots of various goodies. What we really came for was the wine! The Somalia was the brother-in-law to the owner. He guided us by having us sample two wines that were similar before making a decision. We tried an Orange wine which has a very full flavor. We then switched gears to a rosé. As the evening progressed the room filled. We were worried that we might be too close to the other tables but we were comfortable and had enough personal space to talk at normal levels. The price was very fair for the snacks and wines. We will be back to enjoy the outdoor area in back.

What a great new spot. Had a glass of wine and charcuterie before our dinner reservation down the street. Very thoughtful wine list and delicious charcuterie plate. They make their own bread and pickled vegetables. We ordered extra bread to dip in the olive oil and smear with butter. The lovely back patio was quiet since most people were staying inside due to weather. Will definitely be back and would highly recommend.

The owner/ manager/somm not sure what his title is but this person made our night so wonderful! He didn't just recommend wine, he led us through a mini tasting that was so informative and fun. The wines we drank were very expensive but very delicious!! The hummus snd local veggies were great. The atmosphere is that of a small European wine bar. Highly recommend.

Such a cute place and love the owner and all the suggestions he makes. The food is a bit hit or miss, but the variety of wine and the vibe makes it a hidden gem in the neighborhood.