One offers hundreds of wines and live piano performances. The other pairs cocktails and desserts with a welcoming neighborhood vibe. Together, they're representing North Carolina on USA TODAY's 2026 Bars of the Year list.
The list highlights 38 standout bars across the country. The Fortunate Glass in Wilmington and Potential New Boyfriend
in Asheville made the cut. Here's what caught the attention of USA TODAY.The Fortunate Glass
Located in downtown Wilmington, The Fortunate Glass has been a local favorite since 2010. The intimate wine bar offers more than 70 wines by the glass, charcuterie boards, tapas and live music from owner Tom Noonan.
"The Fortunate Glass was built around the idea that exceptional wine, craft beer, thoughtfully curated small plates, and genuine
hospitality create unforgettable moments," Noonan said. "It's an incredible honor and one we proudly share with our guests, team, and Wilmington community."
USA TODAY highlighted the bar's welcoming atmosphere, extensive wine selection and neighborhood feel.Insider tip: The Fortunate Glass fans know to look for social media posts for the weekly specials, which typically include a soup, flatbread and dessert. And all of them are listed with recommended wine pairings. Recently, for example, a Gewurztraminer was suggested with the Chicken Mole Black Bean Soup special. And Pineapple Coconut Sorbet could be served with an Italian bubbly.
Details: 29 S. Front St., Wilmington; www.fortunateglass.com and @thefortunateglass on Instagram
Potential New Boyfriend
Potential New Boyfriend is a wine and dessert bar and listening lounge in West Asheville. The venue was selected for its cozy vibe, music-focused experience and unique menu offerings, including house-made artisan ice cream.
"Part of the experience coming here is to have some sort of an exciting experience. Something that's a little bit unusual or nontraditional, and that starts with our name," said owner Disco, who goes by the single name and is the visionary behind Potential New Boyfriend. "Our goal was to create a space where everyone feels comfortable and welcome."Insider tip: Another scoop about Potential New Boyfriend ― the Pints Club, an ice cream subscription program, offers pre-ordered pints of ice cream. Regular membership benefits include perks like discounts, seat reservations, members-only event invites and access to a secret menu.
Details: 647 Haywood Road, Asheville; potentialnewbf.com and @potentialnewbf on Instagram
How many bars made the made the list?
USA TODAY's 2026 Bars of the Year list includes USA TODAY Bars of the Year for 2026 ranging from neighborhood dives to upscale cocktail destinations.
And if you're curious to see who made the list inte 2025, click here
Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the Wilmington StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@usatodayco.com.Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. You can reach her at @tkennell@citizentimes.com
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2 North Carolina bars named among USA TODAY's best for 2026
