The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro in Oklahoma City: French-Leaning Wine List with Casual Dining
The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro operates as a neighborhood wine bar with an Old World focus, offering a curated selection of French and European wines alongside accessible small plates and entrees in Midtown Oklahoma City.
What The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro actually is
The Metro combines an intentional wine program with a French-inflected kitchen, positioned between the casual beer-and-appetizer crowd and fine dining. The space favors conversation and lingering over high-volume service. It draws locals who know wine without pretension, couples looking for a weeknight dinner that feels intentional, and groups seeking a quieter alternative to the louder cocktail bars a few blocks away.
Wine list and by-the-glass pricing
The Metro stocks roughly 200 wines weighted toward France, with secondary selections from Spain, Italy, and California. By-the-glass pours typically range from $8 to $16, with house selections starting around $7. Bottle prices run $28 to $85 for the core list, with reserve and older vintages extending higher. The list emphasizes Burgundy, Bordeaux, and Loire Valley bottlings, with particular depth in Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Staff can articulate their selections and match wines to the kitchen's output without resorting to flowery language. Wine-by-the-glass selection rotates monthly, so call ahead if you are hunting for a specific producer.
Small plates, entrees, and menu pricing
The kitchen produces French bistro standards and seasonal plates. Expected offerings include housemade pâtés, cheese selections, mussels in white wine, duck confit, and steak frites. Starters run $10 to $16, entrees $18 to $32. The plat du jour changes daily and often represents the best value. Portions favor sharing and lingering rather than filling you up quickly. The cheese course, if offered, costs separately ($12 to $16) and sources from a rotating list of importers.
How The Metro compares to other Oklahoma City wine bars
In Oklahoma City, The Metro's primary direct competitor is Bricktown Wine Bar, which operates at a higher volume, features a broader geographic wine list (less France-focused), and maintains a more casual, walk-in-friendly atmosphere with lower price points on pours ($6 to $12) and plates. Choose The Metro if you want to spend a full evening with one bottle and conversation; choose Bricktown if you are joining a group mid-evening and want to move in and out. The Press in Uptown skews more cocktail-forward and does not maintain the same wine depth. For those willing to drive further, FaBryce in Norman offers a comparable wine-first philosophy but operates with slightly more formal seating and pricing.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
The Metro works for wine drinkers who think beyond the bottle list's surface, couples celebrating quietly, and professionals conducting low-key meetings. It does not suit groups expecting table service speed, large parties seeking high energy, or diners on a tight budget. It is not a wine shop or education venue; it is a place to drink wine and eat while doing so.
What the first visit involves
Arrive without heavy expectations of a particular wine style. Tell your server your price point and what you drank recently that you liked. Order one glass and one or two small plates to start, then move to either a bottle or additional plates depending on how the evening unfolds. Do not expect a kitchen-driven tasting menu or sommelier table visits; expect quiet attentiveness. Allow 90 minutes to two hours for a full visit.
Hours, location, and parking
The Metro operates in Midtown on NW 23rd Street. Hours typically run Tuesday through Thursday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to midnight, closed Sunday and Monday. Verify current hours before visiting, as restaurant hours change seasonally and with staffing. Street parking is available along NW 23rd; a small lot serves the block. No advance reservation system exists; parties larger than four should call ahead to confirm a table is available.
The Metro holds its place in Oklahoma City's wine scene precisely because it refuses to compete on volume or trend, instead betting that steady wine knowledge and honest bistro food will outlast the cocktail cycle.
