Half Cork’d

There are a few things that this place is doing right and a lot that are off.
Pro’s: of a constantly rotating staff, Eddie is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and eager to help. An incredible asset to this place and usually the only reason I venture in. But after 3 years of frequenting this place, I have yet to see a face there long before the business model has changed and a new staff is brought in to ‘fix it.‘
The bottle list has somewhat better offerings than the dispensers and can be purchased for ‘carry out’ at a very reasonable discount. As long as the bottle on the list is actually in stock.
Regardless of their lackluster varietal and regional options, I hope that a place like this can help our small but growing market to try new wines that they weren’t previously familiar.
Con’s: the tasting dispensers are filled with wines that you can buy at most grocery stores in town, not at all to the profit of this market that would benefit quite a bit from exposure to the less than ordinary wine selection that they’re presently offering.
Their wine program is mainly stocked by certain distributors who control which wines sit in these dispensers. I realize that this is a necessary evil in this industry to a certain extent, but not to the point that every dispenser is serving wine that I could buy at numerous locations in town rather than exciting new offerings that I couldn’t try otherwise.
Most of the staff is undertrained and there is barely reason to come back, unless you have a good group of people with you because the atmosphere is lacking substantially. (Unless Eddie is there!)
Haven’t tried the apps since one of the many previous chefs left in 2012 but I hear the meat and cheese boards are worthwhile.
My suggestion is to walk in and ask for a bottle list, peruse, ask for Eddie’s recommendations, and take the bottle home for retail price. This is the best experience you’ll have there.

Very fun place to drink wine. Love that you don’t have to commit to a bottle (or even a glass). There is a nice variety of very expensive wines to very inexpensive wines, so however rich or poor you’re feeling there is something here for you! I have yet to ask the staff any questions about the wine as I am fairly knowledgeable myself, but I have seen them helping others and it appears that they do so with no condescension.
The cheese and meat plates are reasonably priced (starting at 10 dollars) and there is quite a bit to munch on while you’re discovering new wines. The atmosphere is cozy, quirky, romantic, and casual all at the same time. They even have complimentary valet parking if you just pull up to the front of the building in the evening.
I also love the humor the place has– take a look under the «Champagne» list and you’ll find a little joke.
The only thing I would every suggest changing would be to add more French wines, but that’s just because I love myself a good Bourgeuil. I still have to give Half Cork’d a ⁵⁄₅.
Great wine. Great prices. Great food. Great atmosphere. Great service.

Love the idea here! Haven’t been to a place where you can poor your own wine. Live music and great place to hang out with friends.

This was one of the coolest places I have ever been!!! You give them a credit card, they give you a card back, and you use them in «wine-​dispensers». You can enjoy tastes, small or big glasses, and when you finish you pay for what you bought on the card they provided you with. They also have a full bar. This place was comfortable, trendy, and fun (not what I was expecting to find in a college town) but it was an awesome place to celebrate my cousin’s graduation!!!