Underdog Wine Bar at 514 Washington St in Cape May, New Jersey, occupies a small, unpretentious space in the heart of Cape May's historic Victorian district, offering a focused natural wine program that provides a deliberate contrast to the resort town's otherwise beach-casual bar scene. The bar specializes in minimal-intervention wines — biodynamic, organic, and low-sulphite selections from small-production winemakers in Europe and the United States — and pairs them with a rotating small-plates menu composed of seasonal ingredients, many sourced from Cape May County producers. The interior is deliberately intimate: a dimly lit room with mismatched vintage furniture and a counter bar that seats a handful of guests in close proximity. On summer weekends the space fills quickly, and a short wait is common after 7pm during July and August. The atmosphere is relaxed and curious rather than formal. Staff have a reputation for guiding guests through unfamiliar producers and grape varieties without condescension, making the bar accessible for both committed wine enthusiasts and curious visitors encountering natural wine for the first time. The crowd skews toward visitors in their 30s and 40s who pair a Cape May stay with a deliberate evening of eating and drinking, though locals return regularly throughout the season. Dress code is relaxed and consistent with Cape May's general summer-evening attire. The drinks programme spans natural reds, whites, orange wines, petillants naturels, and a small selection of cocktails built around vermouth and amaro. Wine is available by the glass and by the bottle; bottle prices are transparent and lean affordable relative to the natural wine category. Small plates include cheese and charcuterie boards, seasonal vegetable dishes, and rotating daily specials. The bar is open Monday through Thursday from 4pm to midnight and Friday through Sunday from 2pm to midnight during the seasonal operating period from spring through fall. Hours may be reduced or the venue may close in winter; checking social media before a visit outside the main season is advisable. No cover charge applies. Reservations are accepted and recommended for weekend evenings in July and August, when Cape May's tourist season peaks.
Good to know
- Hours
- Mon–Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri–Sun 2pm–midnight (seasonal)
- Signature
- Natural wine bar in Cape May's historic district; small plates; intimate setting
Location
514 Washington St, Cape May, NJ 08204
38.9354, -74.9068 View on map
Highlights
- Natural wine focus with bottles from biodynamic and organic small-production winemakers in Europe and the US
- Intimate Victorian-district location on Cape May's historic Washington Street mall
- Seasonal small-plates menu with local Cape May County ingredients including cheese, charcuterie, and vegetable dishes
- Staff known for approachable, non-intimidating guidance through unfamiliar natural wine producers
- Reservations accepted — recommended for summer weekend evenings in July and August
Tips for visiting
- Reserve a table for Friday or Saturday evenings in July and August — walk-in seating is limited and fills by 7pm in peak season
- Ask the staff about the current by-the-glass selection; the list rotates as bottles are opened and finished
- Petillant naturel options are popular in warm weather and often represent the best value on the list
- Pairing a visit with an evening stroll along the Washington St mall before or after makes for a natural Cape May itinerary
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Frequently asked questions
What is natural wine, and is it all Underdog serves?
Natural wine refers to minimal-intervention wine made from organic or biodynamic grapes with little to no added sulphites or other additives. Underdog's selection is almost entirely natural or low-intervention; conventional wine options are limited.
Does Underdog Wine Bar serve food?
Yes. A small-plates menu featuring cheese, charcuterie, and seasonal vegetable dishes is available during all bar hours. Portions are designed to accompany wine rather than replace a full dinner.
Should a table be reserved at Underdog Wine Bar?
Reservations are recommended for Friday and Saturday evenings during summer (June through August), when Cape May's tourist season peaks and the small room fills quickly. Weeknight visits and shoulder-season trips typically allow walk-in seating.
Is Underdog Wine Bar open year-round?
The bar operates seasonally from spring through fall. Winter hours may be significantly reduced or the venue may close entirely; checking the bar's social media before a winter visit is strongly advisable.