Nobody’s Wine Bar opened in September of 2023. They were a new addition to the infamous and historic Armory Square located in downtown Syracuse. The premise behind the opening was to offer a wine bar to the community that serves a variety of hard-to-find domestic and international wines.
I would describe the space as being cozy, chic, casual, and educational. The interior features a large mural from the graffiti artist Vacant and custom lighting. It gives off vintage and art deco vibes with comfy seating on sofas, plush chairs, intimate table for two, and a long bar, which will accommodate many guests. Get ready to sip and savor and experience bottle bliss from a knowledgeable and experienced wine professional.
It’s a place where you can get a glass of wine — with about 25-30 choices at a price range starting around $10 per glass. That can go up to $50-$100 per glass for rare, high-end wines. The wine list is rotated often or seasonally to give patrons something new and fresh to try.
Their use of the Coravin wine preservation system allows them to keep bottles fresh without opening them. More bars and restaurants, especially those featuring wines or serving a lot of wine, should use a Coravin.
“What I like to say is we save the best wines for nobody,” said founder, Bob Leonard. “We open up everything, like 60-plus-year-old wine by the ounce just to give people the opportunity to try something they probably would never get the chance to otherwise.”
They try to pick wines from different regions around the world that guests might not have heard of or tried. “We try to highlight wines that I’d say are from more obscure regions and regions that kind of fly under the radar,” Leonard said.
Additionally, they like to highlight wines that incorporate unique grape varieties and are made by sustainable and environmentally-friendly producers.
The wines are available at different price points, with their most expensive bottle currently at $112 while most others between $40-$60, which is very reasonable for the atmosphere and for these rare wine finds.
They serve their wines by the half glass, full glass, and by the bottle. The half glass option is great, especially when you want to experience different wines. Grab a seat at the bar to order and engage your sommelier bartender or take your beverage to a comfortable piece of furniture. They know their stuff and would be happy to talk wine.
Nobody’s is primarily a wine bar, but they have some small bites like canned fish, local cheese and charcuterie from The Curd Nerd, and local bread and crackers. They also offer a curated selection of beer, cider, and seltzers and will unveil a small, basic cocktail program soon.
They encourage guests to bring in outside food, which is a great opportunity to discover the perfect wine pairings. Over time, they will look into offering more food choices along with occasional pop-ups.
Nobody’s is a destination where everybody is welcome. They believe, as do I, that every glass of wine tells a story waiting to be shared. With a passion for great pours, impeccable service, and an ambiance that invites you to unwind, they are thrilled to introduce you to their hidden gem on Walton St. in downtown Syracuse.
Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or are just discovering your love for wine, come pull up a chair. Take a journey through their carefully curated selection of beverages handpicked from around the world, Central NY, and Finger Lakes region.
Great place to grab a glass while waiting for a table at a nearby restaurant or finish off a delicious meal with an exquisite wine. They have accommodating late night hours for those having dinner, attending a show, musical, or cultural event, or experiencing the nightlife in the city.
Happy Hour
Tuesday – Thursday from 4p-6p with $2 off beer & full glasses of wine and $1 off half glasses of wine.
Trivia night is every Tuesday night starting at 6:30. Happy Hour goes till 8p that night.
Hours of Operation
Tuesday – Saturday, 4p-12a (ish*) *if it’s still popping, they will stay open! Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Location
Nobody’s Wine Bar, Armory Square, 222 Walton Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 (last shop on the street). Free street parking after 6pm.
Nobody’s offers wine classes for all wine levels with a seasonal focus conducted by staff. They are available to host your company’s private event or your special occasion event. Look for cool LGBTQIA-friendly events throughout the year as well. Check out the event schedule on Tock for their upcoming winter wine classes at Nobody’s Hospitality Group – Syracuse, NY | Tock.
My company, The Michael Pour, is excited to be partnering and collaborating with them. Our hope is to establish Nobody’s as the main source for local wine education and a primary spot for discovering special wines. If you are a local business or organization and would like to work with us or have us host an event, please let us know at michael@michaelpour.com or hello@nobodyswine.com.
Please reach out to me if you would like to grab a glass or a bottle sometime and I will introduce you to the exquisite wine list.
Meet Sarah
Sarah Gaines is the GM and Head Sommelier at Nobody’s Wine Bar. She handles the day-to-day operations of the bar. I’ve had the pleasure of recently meeting her and working with her for our upcoming “Fundamentals of Wine” class series through the Syracuse Chapter of Women for WineSense on January 18th at Nobody’s. I have frequented the bar on several occasions and plan on being a regular personally and professionally.
Her story is an intriguing one and how she landed here in Central NY to run the wine bar is worth illuminating below. Sarah and I share a similar background with our love and passion for wine. Our combined restaurant and service experiences mirror each other. Also, our deep dive in Italian wine propelled us on our wine path. I look forward to our fun times together and bringing this passion to all of you.
“Born and raised in Colorado, Sarah took an unexpected but deeply fulfilling path to the world of wine. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Alma College, she first discovered her passion for wine while working at a winery in Northern Michigan. There, she found joy in guiding guests through tastings and helping them understand why wine tastes the way it does.
Following undergrad, Sarah worked as a paralegal in Boston and Washington, D.C., and later pursued a master’s in Justice, Law, and Criminology at American University. But it was during her time as a Wine Educator at District Winery—between semesters—that Sarah realized wine wasn’t just an interest, it was her calling. She left graduate school to follow that passion full time.
Sarah went on to become the Cellar Director at RPM Italian, where she earned her Level One certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and was later promoted to Head Sommelier. There, she helped develop one of the most extensive Italian wine lists, led staff education efforts, earned her Certified Sommelier pin, all while nurturing a deep love for Italy’s rich and complex wine traditions.
Now at Nobody’s, Sarah is excited to return to her roots as a wine educator—sharing her knowledge, exploring new regions beyond Italy, and helping guests uncover wines they’ve never heard of but will never forget.
Outside of work, Sarah stays active with weight training, golf, and spending time with her two beloved cats, Ruthie and Cork.”
Here are some of Sarah’s favorites which appear on the current wine list –
Visit them at https://www.nobodyswine.com/
Cheers & Sante,
Michael Nagy
