Over the course of the last few years, more people have begun to find going out for snacks and drinks a bit more stylish. They don’t mind dressing up a bit for a fun night out, and some of the top destinations they have in mind are wine bars.

Wine bars are one of the hottest trends in the restaurant industry, and given the great vibe, friendly atmosphere, and rustic nature of these social hotbeds, it really shouldn’t surprise anyone. However, if you are a wine lover, you may find yourself a bit undecided as to whether or not it is the right way to really enjoy it.

After all, there is centuries-old documentation of some vineyards, and families are still very serious about managing their family’s wine lineage for many generations. The notion that a drink as refined as wine could end up being consumed in a bar it seems scandalous.

On the other hand, who sets the rules for enjoying wine? If you’re a wine lover but still on the fence about all of this, you might need a little more insight into what these cool places bring to the table.

Here is a guide to wine bars for wine lovers:

Relaxed and Rustic – Unlike the usual settings we see for wine consumption and enjoyment, which are comprised of sharp edges, stainless steel, and crisp white linens, wine bars are all about rustic surroundings. They choose to embody the old world vineyard spirit of letting the wine do the talking rather than the surroundings.

it is not a new idea – Wine bars actually date back to the 1980s. This was a decade of excess and no restraint, and there was no better time to experiment in the often elitist wine market. The trend continued through the 1990s, although the popularity had waned. The rise of the food revolution has certainly been key to the resurgence of wine bars in America.

The development of national wine paves the way – Over the last fifty to seventy years, domestic wine has not only become a thing, but has had an impact on the world wine market. As more wines from the United States remain among the best the international community has to offer, more people in the US want to see what all the fuss is about.

Local flavors reign supreme – Wine bars are especially good for the small local winemaker trying to carve out a niche somewhere in the market. They create partnerships with wine bars, giving them a ‘gateway’ to a wider audience.

Wine bars are big on the scene right now, but they’re nothing new. What is new is the interest in wine and the touch of class that it brings to each environment in which it is found. More and more chefs and restaurant owners are trying to find an edge over the competition, and have discovered that the best way to do that is by making even the most luxurious ingredients and offerings more accessible.