Downtown Binghamton’s newest business will seek to revitalize an underused riverfront corridor and serve great wine in the process.
Winederlust Wine Bar, located at 7 Court St., will open this summer, though an official opening date has not been set. The business will offer a wide selection of wines paired with a tapas and charcuterie-style menu designed for sharing.
The wine bar is owned and operated by Amanda O’Neil, a Binghamton native who spent two decades working a white-collar job in Chicago before spending years traveling while training for and delving into the world of wine production — developing an expertise she has now brought back home.
Winederlust Wine Bar to open doors this summer
Winederlust will be Binghamton’s first business in over five years to truly utilize the city’s Chenango River waterfront in downtown, replacing the former Citrea Restaurant and Bar, a popular brunch restaurant that closed in 2020.
Originally slated to open in late 2025, O’Neil said the process of opening a business took significantly longer than expected — with construction times, insurance costs and the hiring of consultants contributing to the delay. Despite setbacks, the business is now preparing to open, bringing wine and eats to Binghamton’s downtown riverfront area.
At the core of O’Neil’s vision for Winederlust is the idea that wine is for everyone, regardless of prior knowledge or experience. While for the uninitiated, wine is often looked at as intimidating or inaccessible, Winederlust will seek to make sure anyone can walk in and enjoy a glass.
To encourage trying new wines without needing to spend on a full glass, O’Neil said the business will offer “exploration pours,” which are samples under $5 that will allow customers to expand their tastes without breaking the bank.
“It’s just a way for people to feel empowered to be a little bit adventurous,” said O’Neil. “It’s low stakes to try something, and if you don’t like it, you can just move on to the next, or you can revisit it with a regular pour if you enjoy.”
The business’ aesthetic mirrors the more accessible approach to wine culture, with cozy lighting, unique wallpaper and seats adorning its interior. In the warmer months, outside patio seating will also be available for customers.
To celebrate wine and its impact, O’Neil plans to use themed events to highlight different regions, historical trends or minority wine producers once the business is open.
“We can bring in someone from the Finger Lakes and taste through their portfolio, we can taste through old world and new world,” said O’Neil. “We can dig deep on a country, a varietal or do all female or BIPOC winemakers. There’s a lot of different themes to explore.”
O’Neil said the space will also lend itself to events ranging from weddings to holiday parties or celebrations of other events, such as the Kentucky Derby. The space could also become home to a Winederlust book club, or host meetings for other local book clubs.
“It’s just meant to bring people together and offer something a little bit different,” said O’Neil. “I want to have a little fun and brighten people’s day. I think there is something so noble in serving people and helping create experiences and memories.”
Currently, O’Neil said she is focused on finalizing the business’ food menu and ensuring staff is trained on ideal pairings. The business now contains a full kitchen, meaning it has room to expand the menu to offer full lunch, brunch and dinner in the future.
Outside of wine, the business will also serve craft beer, cider and a small selection of soft drinks. Winederlust will also have non-alcoholic options for both wine and beer.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton native returns home to open wine bar on the riverfront
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
