10 Ways to Open a Bottle of Wine Without a Corkscrew

Picture this: you have a gorgeous girl over for dinner at your fancy apartment with a cityscape view—one you pay a hefty mortgage for, but that's a whole different story.

Everything is going just as you planned. You managed to cook something decent for once—even though you spent hours asking ChatGPT for recipes and cooking tips—and there you are, both sitting across from each other at a table with candles and the fire flickering in her eyes.

While having a great and intimate conversation—thinking that you'll hit a home run tonight, wink wink—you go to grab a bottle of expensive red wine. You get the bottle and then open the drawer where you usually keep your corkscrew, but to your unpleasant surprise, it's not there.

"Dang it!" you say and start opening every drawer twice, checking the same spots repeatedly. Meanwhile, the gorgeous lady is watching you, probably wondering why you're having what looks like a minor breakdown in your own kitchen.

Of course, this is a hypothetical situation, but it's actually very likely to happen. So, to help all the bros out there avoid the stress of not being able to open a bottle of wine in front of their date—jeopardizing a magical night—we decided to dive into the depths of the internet and round up the 10 best ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew.

10 Ways to Open a Bottle of Wine Without an Opener

1. Screw and Hammer

Okay, this one's pretty straightforward, but it feels weird the first time. Get a decent-sized screw from wherever you keep that stuff and twist it into the cork. Don't go crazy - maybe three-quarters of the way down. Then grab a hammer and use the claw part to yank the whole thing out like you're pulling a nail.

2. Push It Down

Yep, you read that right! Sometimes, you just have to embrace the chaos. Find something solid—a wooden spoon handle works great, or even a thick marker if that's what you have—and push that cork straight down into the bottle.

We agree that this isn't the most elegant solution to the problem, since you'll have a cork floating in there. But at least it won't affect the taste. However, small bits of cork might end up in your wine, so using a strainer could help if you opt for this method.

3. The Shoe Method

This sounds ridiculous until you try it. Put the bottle in a sturdy shoe, like a hiking boot or something with some heft. Then tap the shoe against a wall, gently at first. The pressure builds up and slowly pushes the cork out. Start easy, though. The last thing you want is wine and glass everywhere.

4. Use Your Keys

Most practical method right here since you probably have keys on you. Take your house key, work it into the cork at an angle, then twist and wiggle while pulling up. Takes some patience but it's surprisingly effective.Car keys work too if they're sturdy enough.

5. Knife Method

A serrated knife works best but any decent kitchen knife will do. The trick is going slow - work the blade into the cork bit by bit, then twist and pull with steady pressure. This one makes people nervous but it's actually pretty reliable if you don't rush it.

6. Heat Method

Heat up the neck of the bottle with a hair dryer, lighter, or even run it under hot water for a few minutes. The air inside expands and pushes the cork out on its own. Works better with natural corks than synthetic ones. Oh, and be careful with that hot glass.

7. String Method

Already pushed the cork in and regretting it? Tie a bunch of knots in some string, drop it in the bottle, and try to get the knots positioned under the cork. Then slowly pull it back up. It's like one of those claw machines at the arcade, except with wine. Takes some finesse but it's doable.

8. Wire Hanger

Got an old wire hanger lying around? Straighten it out and bend one end into a hook. Slide it down past the cork, hook underneath, and pull up. Not exactly the most elegant method, but it gets the job done.

9. Paperclip Method

Straighten out two big paperclips and work them down on opposite sides of the cork. Once they're positioned underneath, pull them toward each other while lifting them up.

10. Pliers

If you'vegot part of the cork sticking out already, pliers can finish what other methods started. Just grip, twist gently, and pull steady.

Final Thoughts

Well, there you have it—10 ways to open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew. Don’t let a missing opener ruin your next date. Use one of these 10 methods to uncork a bottle of wine and show what a romantic guy you are