Bin 73 in Oklahoma City: A Wine Bar Built Around Underrated Labels and Affordable Pours

Bin 73 is a wine bar in Uptown Oklahoma City that stocks wines under $50 and emphasizes small producers and regional varietals overlooked by larger lists, with a by-the-glass program starting at $8 and small plates designed to pair rather than compete.

What Bin 73 Actually Is

Bin 73 operates as a focused wine shop with a tasting counter, not a full-service restaurant or casual cocktail bar. The space is compact, holding roughly 20 seats at the bar and a few high-tops, which means the crowd tends toward wine drinkers willing to stand or perch rather than diners expecting table service and entrees. The list curates domestic and European wines under $50 retail, with a particular focus on natural wines, lesser-known Spanish producers, and emerging regions like Croatia and Greece. The setup makes this a destination for people who already drink wine or who want to learn by tasting rather than reading.

By-the-Glass Pricing and the Wine List

Bin 73 pours by-the-glass starting at $8 and typically topping out around $18 to $20 for premium selections. A full bottle ranges from $25 to $55, making the markup moderate compared to downtown fine-dining establishments. The list rotates roughly every two weeks, so specific wines change, but the house carries 10 to 15 open pours at any visit. Small plates cost $6 to $16 and include items like charcuterie boards, aged cheese, cured fish, and simple preparations designed to echo or contrast the wine rather than overshadow it. This pricing tier means a visit with two glasses and a shared plate lands around $30 to $40 before tax.

How Bin 73 Compares to Other Oklahoma City Wine Bars

Oklahoma City has two other wine-focused bars worth naming. Picasso Cafe in Midtown stocks a larger list with higher price ceilings, suits diners seeking full meals, and charges $12 to $24 per pour. Ellerbeck's Wine & Spirits, also in Uptown, functions primarily as a retail shop with limited seating and a different vibe—more suited to purchasing bottles to take home than lingering over a glass. Bin 73 splits the difference: it prioritizes drinking over buying-to-go, curates for approachability rather than prestige, and keeps the space intimate enough that staff can recommend by taste preference rather than wine-region pedigree. Choose Bin 73 if you want to taste unfamiliar producers on a moderate budget and don't need a full dinner. Choose Picasso if you want to pair wine with substantial food and are willing to spend more.

Who It Suits and Who It Does Not

Bin 73 works well for solo wine drinkers, small groups who enjoy conversation without music playing loudly, and people curious about wines outside the typical Pinot-Cabernet axis. The space does not suit large parties, families with children, or anyone expecting privacy—the bar is open and visibility is high. It also does not function as a happy-hour destination if your goal is cheap drinks; the pour prices are fair but not promotional.

What a First Visit Involves

Walk in and seat yourself at the bar or nearest high-top. A staff member will hand you a printed list of current pours and ask what you normally drink or what you're curious about. Most first-timers spend 15 to 30 minutes on one or two glasses, often ordering a plate to share. The staff does not pressure quick turnover, though the limited seating means during peak evening hours (Friday and Saturday after 7 p.m.) you may feel a gentle nudge to move along if others are waiting.

Hours, Parking, and Logistics

Bin 73 is open Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. Verify hours before a weeknight visit, as they occasionally close early for private events. The location sits in Uptown with street parking available on the block and in nearby lots; a small lot directly adjacent offers overflow. The bar does not take reservations, so expect a wait of 10 to 20 minutes on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Bin 73 occupies the gap between wine retail and wine service in Oklahoma City, making it the only spot in the city where a curious drinker can move quickly from unfamiliar label to glass without committing to a bottle or a full dinner.