Ubud has no shortage of places to drink, but finding a wine-focused programme can take a little more searching. Pinstripe Bar, a cocktail bar in Ubud with a considered wine list alongside its cocktails, offers a different way to spend the evening. A good wine experience is not about the length of the list alone. It is about range, proper storage, suitable glassware, wine by the glass and a team that can help you choose.
This guide explains what to look for and where to find it.
What Makes a Proper Wine Bar
A good wine programme is defined by more than the number of labels on the list. Several details separate a serious offering from a token selection.
The first is range. A well-rounded list covers sparkling, white, rosé and red wines, giving you options for different tastes, dishes and occasions.
Storage matters too. Proper conditions help preserve a wine’s intended character and keep bottles in good condition. Glassware also plays a role, as different shapes can influence how aromas are concentrated and perceived.
Then there is format. Wine available by the glass gives you the freedom to explore without committing to a full bottle. Put all of these elements together, and a wine list becomes more than a page of names. It becomes part of the experience.
Why Range and the Glass Both Matter
Range and the option to drink by the glass are particularly useful because they give you more freedom to explore.
A list with real variety lets you move through different styles during the evening. You might begin with sparkling wine, move to a crisp white with a first course, then finish with a structured red. Wine by the glass makes that possible without opening several bottles.
It also works well when everyone at the table has different preferences. One person can choose a mineral white while another orders a fuller-bodied red, without anyone having to compromise on a bottle.
A good wine programme in Ubud should make that kind of exploration easy. The goal is not to order the most expensive bottle on the list. It is to find something you genuinely want to drink.
The Value of Guidance
Range only helps if you know how to navigate it, which is where good guidance comes in.
You do not need to know every producer or grape variety before ordering wine. A knowledgeable bar team, or a sommelier where there is one, can steer you towards a bottle or glass that suits your taste and the occasion.
The best guidance is unhurried and free of pretension. Tell the bartender whether you prefer something crisp and light or rich and structured. You can also mention what you are eating, how adventurous you feel, or a wine you already enjoy.
That short conversation is often enough to turn an unfamiliar list into an easy choice.
Wine at Pinstripe Bar
Pinstripe Bar pairs its cocktail programme with a considered wine list, offering both wine by the glass and by the bottle for the table.
The selection includes sparkling, white, rosé and red wines, giving you options across different styles. Taittinger Brut Réserve offers a classic sparkling start, while lighter sparkling selections from Cocchi provide another direction. For white wine, a Louis Latour Chablis brings a crisp, mineral character, while Gavi di Gavi offers a bright Italian alternative.
For rosé, Château d’Astros is an easy choice for a warm evening on the terrace. The red selection moves from the elegant, food-friendly character of Pascal Jolivet Pinot Noir to the richer Chocolate Block and the savoury character of Duca di Saragno Chianti Riserva.
Each is available by the glass or the bottle, so a table can explore widely. Beyond the everyday list, an extensive cellar holds prestige Champagnes, collectible Bordeaux, and Barossa reds for those celebrating special occasions. As a cocktail bar in Ubud that takes wine this seriously, Pinstripe is a natural answer for anyone seeking a proper wine bar in Ubud.
What to Order by Style
A simple way to approach a wine list is to think about style first rather than label.
For a celebration, start with sparkling wine such as Taittinger Brut Réserve. If you prefer something crisp and mineral-driven, a Chablis is a classic choice, while Gavi di Gavi offers a lighter, more refreshing Italian white.
Rosé works naturally for a warm evening on the terrace. Château d’Astros is a good example of a style that can carry you comfortably from late afternoon into dinner.
For red wine, Pinot Noir offers an elegant, food-friendly option. If you prefer something fuller and more powerful, The Chocolate Block takes you in that direction, while Chianti Riserva brings a savoury Italian character that works particularly well with food.
If you are unsure, simply tell the bar team what you normally enjoy. You do not need to know the label before you begin.
Wine and Cocktails at Pinstripe
Wine does not have to replace cocktails for the evening. At Pinstripe Bar, the two programmes sit alongside each other, giving you the freedom to move between them.
You might begin with sparkling wine as the evening starts, switch to a cocktail before dinner, or stay with wine throughout the meal. The choice is yours.
That flexibility is part of what makes a cocktail bar in Ubud with a serious wine programme useful. You can come with a specific drink in mind or simply see where the evening takes you.
Reserve Your Table at Pinstripe Bar
The best way to enjoy a good wine programme is to take your time.
Pinstripe Bar is a cocktail bar in Ubud with an open view over the Valley of the Kings, wine by the glass and bottle, and a bar team ready to help you navigate the list.
Come for a glass as the light softens, stay for dinner at neighbouring Apéritif Restaurant, or explore a bottle with friends. You do not need to arrive knowing exactly what you want. Start with a preference and let the list lead the way.
Reserve your table and drink well in Ubud.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ubud Have a Wine Bar?
Ubud is better known for cocktails and coffee, so dedicated wine bars are uncommon. What you will find instead are considered venues where wine is taken seriously alongside other drinks. Pinstripe Bar is one such place, offering a wine list spanning all styles, available by the glass or by the bottle, making it a genuine wine bar in Ubud in all but name.
Can You Order Wine by the Glass in Ubud?
Yes, at the right venue. Pinstripe Bar offers wine by the glass in sparkling, white, rosé, and red varieties, so you can taste widely without committing to a bottle. Ordering by the glass is also the easiest way to explore a list and let a table of different tastes each drink what they prefer.
What Wine Should You Order If You Are Not Sure?
Start by describing what you like. You might prefer something crisp and light, rich and full-bodied, dry and mineral, or fruity and aromatic. It also helps to mention what you are eating. The bar team can then suggest a wine that suits both your taste and the occasion. You do not need to know the labels in advance.
Is Wine by the Glass Better Than Ordering a Bottle?
Neither is inherently better. Wine by the glass gives you flexibility and is useful when you want to explore different styles or when everyone at the table prefers something different. A bottle makes more sense when several people want the same wine or when you have found something you want to enjoy throughout the meal.
