A wine bar can be a great place to relax by yourself after a long day, listen to great live music, get crazy with friends or cuddly with a date. It all just depends on where you go, but all of the following places have great wine (and beer), student-friendly prices and a fantastic atmosphere. And this list is only a taste of what San Diego has to offer.

Apertivo- Italian tapas and wine bar – North Park, $
If you are tight on cash, as most of us are, but still want to enjoy a nice glass of wine and snack-size portions of food, this is the place to go. The average price for a glass of wine is about $5 and prices for bottles of wine are just as inviting. Apertivo specializes in Italian wines and beers, but also carries some Californian names to appease the locals. The fresh menu consists of everything from a $4 house salad to Chicken Marsala for $8 (keep in mind entrees are all small in size). Bring some friends to enjoy a light meal in a cozy setting for under $10.
www.apertivo.com

Wine Steals – Hillcrest, $
Immediately after walking in, the vibe is welcoming and comfortable. Plush couches and chairs are charmingly scattered about, along with a long bar accompanied by wooden bar stools. The bartenders are very friendly and patient with questions about the featured wines written in chalk behind the bar. The weekly deals here really are a steal. On Mondays, you can buy a bottle of wine for retail price and forget about the corking fee. Mon-Fri enjoy $3 glasses of select wine during their 4-6 p.m. happy hour and on Sat. you can sample up to 25 wines for just $10!
www.winestealssd.com

Kensington Vine- Normal Heights, $$
With glasses of wine ranging from $7-$19, this is a bit pricier than the other options, but worth the money. Kensington emits a romantic and moody ambiance with candles on almost every surface. Inside, you can sit down amongst one of their many intimate tables or along the curving bar. Along with a delicious and international wine list, you can enjoy pizzas, appetizers or cheese plates designed to accompany your wine. If you still want to save money, then check them out on Mon. for an all-night happy hour with select $5 wines and appetizers. Also, on Wednesdays enjoy a bottle of wine for retail price (that could save you around $10).
http://www.kensingtonvine.com

Trisler’s- Mission Valley, $$
This wine bar offers live music, European cheese boards, a “build your own wine flight (tasting)” option and Karl Strauss on tap. Sit back, relax, and enjoy. The wine list is small but worldly, with glasses starting at $6. Any of their brilliant blends are worth the meager price. However, during their weekday happy hour from 5-7 p.m. all wines are $5 a glass and all beer is $3. On Sundays, all bottles of wine are half off. On a weekly basis, all of this can be enjoyed while listening to some of the best live guitar or saxophone music in town.
www.trislerswinebar.com

Tango Wine Co- San Diego, $$
They were voted Best Wine Bar by CitySearch in 2007 and 2008. If you are new at wine and don’t know what you like yet, this is one of the best places to taste them all. Tango has ongoing tasting events for as little as $15. Their next event is on March 3, when you can taste six different delicious wines from 6-8 p.m. Another popular event is PMS Wednesdays, a great getaway for women to enjoy wine, chocolate and a free five minute shoulder massage. They also have events catered to art and book lovers. This is a fun time for someone who wants a more interactive, educational wine experience.
www.tangowine.com

Ave price for one glass of wine and appetizer-
$: $3-10 per person $$: $10-20 per person