Mary Kate's Wine Bar

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Family Story, Poured Into Every Glass

Mary Kate's Wine Bar in Eagle River, Wisconsin, is the kind of place that earns its reputation through genuine passion rather than pretense. Owners Katie and John Hayes — who describe themselves not as wine experts but as enthusiastic learners — built the bar from a concept rooted in prohibition-era speakeasies. Katie, who moved to Eagle River in 1977 and grew up working in the family gift shop next door, was inspired by stories of storefronts that concealed glorious bars behind unmarked doors. The front windows are kept deliberately dark, the interior warm and cozy, and the atmosphere unmistakably intimate. It is a veteran-owned, family-run business, and that spirit shows in how staff and regulars alike treat the place.

A Wine List That Earns Its Recognition

The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence — one of the guide's most respected distinctions — is a direct reflection of how seriously Katie and John have approached the cellar. The list spans continents and styles: crisp Sauvignon Blancs from Marlborough and Bordeaux, layered Chardonnays from Burgundy, Sonoma, and Oregon's Dundee Hills, Shiraz from Barossa Valley, Malbec Rosé from Mendoza, sparkling Moscato from Italy, and non-alcoholic options too. Wines are available by the flight, on tap, by the glass, or by the bottle. The range is built on hours of tasting and close collaboration with distributors, with a single goal: that every guest who walks in finds something they genuinely enjoy.

No Pretenses, Just Good Wine

The philosophy at Mary Kate's is refreshingly straightforward. Staff work with guests to match them to a wine that suits their palate — whether that means a familiar Pinot Grigio or a first encounter with a dry German Riesling. Charcuterie boards, sweet or savory, are the kitchen's signature pairing. On the first Tuesday of each month, the bar hosts wine events featuring guided tastings, snack pairings, and wine education. Thursday evenings bring cigar nights on the patio. The American wine bar format here is social and unpretentious — a place to sit, talk, and let an evening unfold over something worth drinking.