How to Open a Wine Bottle Without a Corkscrew

There are many times when you need a corkscrew but can’t find one. Maybe you’re having a picnic at the park or just moved to a new house and everything is still in boxes. Or perhaps you’re at a hotel on vacation. The list goes on and on (and is making us regret not always buying screwtop bottles of wine). However, next time you need to uncork a bottle of wine, get creative. There are plenty of ways to pop a bottle open with items you have lying around that will have you enjoying your favorite vino in no time.

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Push the Cork In With Chapstick

Let’s start with the simplest solution: pushing the cork into the bottle. Take any hard, narrow tube, such as chapstick, a Sharpie, or the back of a wooden spoon, and press into the cork until it pops loose. If you have a colander handy, strain the wine to catch any small bits of cork that may have broken off.

Hook the Cork With a Wire Hanger

Sorry, Mommie Dearest — this trick uses your least favorite item. Take a clean wire hanger and bend the hook until it’s much narrower, about 1/2-inch wide. Gently wiggle the hook between the cork and the neck of the bottle until the hanger slides past the cork. Then, twist the hook to catch the bottom of the cork and pull it up to release the cork.

Use a Hammer and Screwdriver

For this method, you’ll need a hammer, screwdriver, and a screw that is longer than the cork. Use the screwdriver to twist the screw through the cork until there’s a 1/2-inch gap between the head of the screw and the top of the cork. Then, take the claw of the hammer and pull up the screw to pry the cork out of the bottle.

Pop the Cork Out With a Bike Pump

Pump, pump, pump it up  — uh, we mean out. To uncork a bottle of wine with a bike pump, insert a long pump needle through the cork and pump air into the bottle. The buildup of air pressure should push the cork out. Make sure to wear safety glasses and aim the bottle away from your face, as the cork can launch out forcefully.

Apply Heat With a Lighter

Use a lighter to apply heat to the neck of the wine bottle. The heat will cause pressure to build inside the bottle until the cork slowly rises and pops out. This method should only be used for bottles that are at room temperature — trying this with a chilled wine bottle may cause the entire bottle to explode.

Twist the Cork With a Key

Take a key and insert it into the top of the cork at a 45-degree angle. Press down until the key is lodged in as deep as possible, and twist the key while pulling up. The cork will loosen and eventually pop out. If you don’t have a key, you can use any other serrated object like a knife, though you should take the necessary precautions if you do.

Squeeze the Cork With Tweezers

Similar to other methods, you can also carefully wiggle a pair of tweezers between the cork and the neck. Once fully inserted, pull the tweezers up to release the cork.

Pull the Cork Out With a Shoelace

Tie a small knot at one end of a shoelace. (You can also use string or a thin piece of rope.) Use a flat screwdriver to push the string between the cork and the neck of the bottle until the knot slides past the bottom of the cork. Pull the string upwards — the knot will catch the bottom of the cork and release it.

Put the Bottle in a Shoe

While we’re on the subject of shoes, let’s use one to open a bottle of wine. Insert the bottle into a shoe, such as a sneaker. Lightly bang the shoe against a wall or the ground several times. The pressure will release the cork, allowing you to pull it out. Don’t hit too hard, or you’ll risk cracking the bottle.