Wine In Progress Bengaluru: Where Wine Meets Community (And A Disco Ball Named Tony)

“Wine In Progress isn’t just about the wine — it’s about the people.”

That’s the first thing you realise when you step into their small, cozy space at Courtyard, Bengaluru. In almost two years, they’ve managed to do something that the city’s wine culture has long needed: take the intimidation out of drinking wine and make it fun again.

Here, unlike most bar menus, wine doesn’t play second fiddle. Among the city’s array of new restaurants and bars, Wine In Progress distinguishes itself with a cozy, unhurried atmosphere that encourages genuine connectionIt doesn’t try to impress with scale or shine. The space instantly disarms you, forcing you to put down any airs and just enjoy what is at hand — your time and your drink. As Anjana from the marketing team puts it, "Even as team members, we love coming here after hours, chatting with Ganga or Azhar (WiP staff) while they serve us their latest wine obsession. It’s always a good time."

Born out of constraint rather than design, co-founder Akhila Srinivas recalls how it all started: “We actually only had a wine license because getting a liquor license in Benga is such a hassle. Initially, it was just pop-ups at The Conservatory or during events. But then I thought — why not make something substantial out of it?" That spark led Srinivas to partner with beverage specialist Arijit Bose, and together they built Wine In Progress, a dive-bar-style nook inspired by European bars.

Inside, nothing feels stiff or pretentious. The black walls are covered in chalked graffiti by the team and their happy customers. Instead of a vaulted wine cellar, they’ve got Sexy Karen, their beloved fridge that keeps bottles chilled, and accessible. Overhead, Tony the disco ball scatters playful shards of light across the room, making it clear this is a space where you don’t have to know tannins from terroir to belong.

My friends and I had been eyeing this place for a while, but the idea of a wine bar felt a bit intimidating, would we have to dress up and be all posh? One visit and a chat with the team quickly proved otherwise. It’s exactly the kind of spot where you can swing by after a long day, listen to some good music, and just unwind.

Wine In Progress has grown into more than a bar — it’s become a community. So whether you’re a first-time wine drinker or a seasoned connoisseur, pull up a chair and “kill a bottle or two”. At a time when everyone is craving connection and a sense of belonging, this little corner at Courtyard reminds you that the best drinking experiences aren’t about polish or pretence. They’re about finding a place where you can truly unwind, let your hair down, and be free of your inhibitions for a little bit.

Wine In Progress is for people who know nothing about wine but are curious to learn, while also catering to experienced drinkers with a small but mighty team that knows their craft inside out.

The place feels less like a fancy bar and more like a neighbourhood haunt, where you can book a spot at the bar here or simply walk in and sip wine at the picnic tables late into the evening, under lights that make it feel as if you’re wining and dining with the stars.

You can follow them here.

If you enjoyed reading this, here's more from Homegrown:

Inside 'Middle Room', Bengaluru’s Intimate New Analogue Listening Bar

Can A Bar Be A Museum? For Bandra’s House of Paloma, The Answer Is An Emphatic "Yes"

On The Jungle Floor Has Opened Its First Brick-and-Mortar Store In Bangalore